Health authorities across Europe remained on high alert today as the deadly heat wave persists across the Old Continent.
From Britain and France to Germany, Italy, Austria, and Serbia, Europe is experiencing record-breaking temperatures. Scientists say this heat wave is the worst ever recorded in Europe, where the climate is changing faster than anywhere else.
Temperatures may have already peaked in France and Britain, where June records have already been broken. But in Italy, the heat is expected to intensify over the weekend, pushing temperatures up to 40 degrees Celsius.
At least 55 heatwave-related deaths have been reported in France, where the temperature in Paris reached 40.9 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. Although temperatures are expected to drop, authorities are bracing for a rise in the death toll.
Across the continent, monuments and cultural sites have closed, and problems have arisen in the agricultural sector. The Paris police asked organizers of major events, such as the Solidays music festival, to cancel their plans. The organizers of the Pride festival announced that they are rescheduling it for September.
England and the Netherlands on red alert
Last night, extreme heat caused cracks in the pavement of the A2 highway in eastern Germany, according to the BZ newspaper, resulting in approximately 30 vehicles experiencing problems and sustaining damage, two people sustaining minor injuries, and authorities being forced to suspend traffic.
The British Met Office extended the “red” alert for today across a large area of southern England —the first time such warnings have been issued for three consecutive days.
In an unusual move, authorities in the Netherlands issued a “red” alert for nearly the entire country, and many schools remained closed as temperatures are expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius.
In Serbia, authorities also issued a warning, with temperatures forecast to reach around 36 degrees Celsius. Officials in Belgrade warned citizens to stay hydrated and avoid traveling during the hottest hours of the day.
Store shelves in Britain have been cleared of fans, while air conditioning manufacturers in Asia have reported a surge in sales to Europe.
In France, the state-owned energy company EDF has committed to spending 80 million euros on cooling systems for schools, daycare centers, and day care facilities. According to the latest data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), published in July 2025, the percentage of households in Europe with air conditioning remains relatively low, at around 20%.
French authorities have announced a ban on alcohol consumption in public spaces for today, as France plays against Norway in the World Cup in Boston.
Doctors and healthcare professionals in France have reported an increase in emergency cases and hospitalizations.
Wilfried Samy, a spokesperson for the French Union of Emergency Medicine Doctors, stated that hospitals are not adequately prepared for the heat wave. “The impact on the mental health of healthcare workers is enormous,” he said.
