Millions of people across Europe due to the unprecedented heat wave affecting many countries.
According to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA), since June 24, a thousand excess deaths have already been recorded in France, according to the national public health agency, which predicted that the actual toll will be higher.
The phenomenon mainly affects people over 65, reported Santé publique France, which also notes a 40% increase in deaths at home. The red heat wave alert in France now applies only to the far eastern part of the country, where it is expected to be lifted this evening.
Record-high temperatures and heat-related deaths
Record-breaking temperatures were set one after another yesterday, Saturday: Denmark had never experienced such high temperatures since meteorological records began in 1874, with the temperature reaching 37 degrees Celsius.
In the Czech Republic, the temperature broke the all-time record, reaching 40.6 degrees Celsius.
Germany also set a new record on Saturday, with temperatures reaching 41.5 degrees.
Six people lost their lives on Friday and Saturday in swimming pools or lakes in the Bratislava area, according to Slovak police.
At least 193 million people in Europe, including 75 million in Germany, experienced temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius at some point yesterday, according to AFP estimates, an increase from Friday as the heatwave moves toward northeastern Europe.
Event Cancellations
Due to the heat wave, the Paris Pride Parade (Paris Pride in English, Marche des fiertés LGBT+ in French). The cancellation of the Solidays music festival, which was scheduled to run through today in the French capital, will deprive the organizing Association Solidarité Sida of 31 million euros needed to implement anti-AIDS programs.
Munich Pride, for its part, took place amid temperatures around 36 degrees Celsius.
The renowned Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra relaxed its dress code for its famous end-of-season concert on Saturday night: male musicians were allowed to take off their jackets and roll up their sleeves.
The Balkans have also been hit by the heat wave since Saturday, with the entire Croatian side of the Adriatic under a red alert.
As temperatures are expected to reach 39 degrees Celsius today in certain areas of Serbia, North Macedonia, Bosnia, and Montenegro, according to various national meteorological institutes, the region is expected to suffer from high temperatures at least until Monday.
