FLASH
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Extreme heatwave spreads east across Europe, with France and Spain reporting deaths
Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary recorded record temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius on Sunday, as the extreme heat wave that has caused hundreds of deaths in Western Europe spread eastward across the continent.
According to the data, more than 191 million people in Europe faced temperatures of at least 35 degrees Celsius, while authorities issued extreme heat warnings in many countries.
In Germany, the national meteorological service recorded a record temperature of 41.7°C in Coschen, near the border with Poland, surpassing the previous record of 41.5°C set just a day earlier in Drewitz.
The high temperatures also caused fires. In Gohrischheide, eastern Germany, a fire swept through a forest contaminated with munitions left over from World War II, making it difficult for firefighters to intervene. Another firefighting operation near the village of Traisen was temporarily suspended after explosions at a former ammunition depot. About 650 residents were evacuated as the fire continued to spread.
In Berlin, police used water cannons to cool residents and tourists, while the Deutsche Bahn railway company advised citizens to avoid non-essential travel.
Poland also set a new all-time record, with 40.5°C in the border town of Słubice, breaking the 105-year-old record of 40.2°C set in 1921. Authorities sent out warning messages to citizens to avoid sun exposure, strenuous physical activity and to drink plenty of water. Water curtains were installed in some cities to ease the temperatures.
Hungary recorded 40.7°C in Budakalász, while the Czech Republic reached a new record of 41.9°C in Doksany. The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute warned that temperatures were set to rise further. Slovakia recorded 39.3°C in Mužla, while Denmark had set its absolute record of 36.6°C the day before, the highest since records began in 1874.
Meanwhile, France has begun to register the consequences of the heat wave. The National Public Health Agency announced that from June 24 to 27, around 1,000 more deaths were recorded compared to normal periods. The figures are preliminary and authorities expect the toll to rise.
The biggest increase in deaths has been among people who have died in their homes, particularly in the Île-de-France region, which includes Paris. Most of the victims were over 65, but younger age groups have also been affected.
Emergency doctor and French MP Philippe Juvin stated that the final death toll is expected to be very high, warning that some people could be found dead in their homes in the coming days.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said hospitals and emergency services would continue to be under pressure in the coming days. Meanwhile, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said ambulance services responded to more than 122,000 calls during the peak of the heatwave.
In Spain, preliminary data shows at least 327 deaths that could be linked to extreme temperatures over the past week.
In addition to the heat, parts of northern France and Belgium were hit by strong winds and lightning. Several injuries, lightning-caused fires and power outages for more than 60,000 households were reported in France. In Belgium, one person died after a tree fell on his vehicle near Brussels.
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