Europe gripped by record-breaking heatwave, health systems under strain

Europe is experiencing an extremely severe heatwave that has swept across the continent, with scientists describing it as one of the worst recorded.

Health authorities across multiple countries have issued high-level alerts as extreme temperatures strain hospitals, transport systems, infrastructure and public services, while governments have introduced emergency restrictions such as alcohol limits, event cancellations and public safety measures.

The UK recorded its hottest June day on record on Friday, with a provisional temperature of 37.3 degrees Celsius recorded in Santon Downham, Suffolk, surpassing a previous record of 36.7 degrees Celsius set just a day earlier in Merryfield, Somerset. In London, pavement temperatures in parts of the capital were reported to have reached up to 57 degrees Celsius, while the London Ambulance Service said emergency 999 calls surged by 50% during the heatwave. Sheffield's tram network was also suspended due to extreme temperatures.

Germany reported a provisional national temperature record of 41.3 degrees Celsius on Friday in Saarbruecken-Burbach, surpassing its previous record of 41.2 degrees Celsius from 2019. The country also braces for the possibility of an even hotter weekend. Its emergency departments reported a significant rise in heat-related illnesses such as dizziness, heatstroke and dehydration.

Italy remained under severe heat stress, with 18 cities placed under a red alert, the highest heat warning level, including Rome, Milan, Turin, Florence, Bologna, Venice and Verona. Temperatures in parts of central and northern Italy are forecast to reach 38 to 40 degrees Celsius. Authorities have also warned of an elevated wildfire risk, particularly in Sardinia and southern regions, where civil protection agencies have issued alerts as vegetation has dried out after weeks of unusually hot and dry weather.

Switzerland also recorded its hottest June temperature on Friday, hitting 38.8 degrees Celsius in the northern city of Basel, breaking a record just set there a day earlier.

The extreme heat has also affected infrastructure and industry. In Switzerland, the heat forced the shutdown of reactors at Europe's oldest nuclear plant due to elevated river temperatures affecting cooling systems. In Germany, older concrete sections of highways expanded and broke apart, forcing temporary closures, while in Sweden, rail infrastructure was reportedly distorted by extreme heat.

In France, Paris hit a June record of 40.9 degree Celsius earlier in the week, with authorities warning of rising heat-related deaths and a surge in emergency calls.

"There will be consequences in terms of the number of additional deaths," said French Health Minister Stephanie Rist.

Hospitals under pressure

Hospitals reported overcrowding and difficulty coping with the volume of patients, and scientists have highlighted the danger of sweltering night-time temperatures.

Temperatures overnight have not dropped below 22 degrees Celsius, depriving the human body of the ability to recover and shed the excess heat from the day, and which can drive excess deaths, said John Kennedy, head of Climate Information at the World Meteorological Organization.

France saw a fourfold increase in heat-related hospital visits and a surge of cardiac arrests.

"We are reaching a saturation point in hospital facilities," Paris police chief Patrice Faure said, announcing a rare ban on evening alcohol sales in Paris over the weekend.

In the UK, Hilary Williams, clinical vice president of Britain's Royal College of Physicians, said overcrowding and heat in hospital wards were putting patients, staff and infrastructure under severe strain.

"People are far too hot," she told BBC Radio, adding that some critical equipment, including MRI scanners and cancer treatment machines, was being affected by the heat.

Heatwave heads east

A storm broke the heat overnight in France's western region of Brittany, bringing some respite on Friday.

But much of the Netherlands remained under red alert, with authorities advising people to travel only if necessary and most schools closed. Organizers cancelled the four-day techno music festival Defqon.1 in the central Netherlands.

Slovakia forecast temperatures up to 36 degrees Celsius, with Bratislava extending swimming pool opening hours and deploying tanker trucks of drinking water.

The Czech Republic and Hungary were on red alert for the weekend, with temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius forecast.

Hungary's Prime Minister Peter Magyar said authorities were preparing millions of bags of drinking water for possible public distribution and urging residents to conserve water.

The Balkans are also bracing for sustained heat. Serbia is facing an intense and prolonged heatwave starting Friday, with maximum temperatures forecasted to reach up to 39 degrees Celsius through early next week. In Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), heat warnings were issued for large parts of the country on Friday as temperatures were forecast to reach up to 38 degrees Celsius.

(With input from agencies)