Europe’s heatwave intensifies as record temperatures strain hospitals and trigger bans

PARIS, June 26 — Here are the latest developments in Europe’s heatwave.

Scientists have shown that recurring heatwaves are a clear marker of global warming, and warn they are set to become more frequent, longer and more intense.

Paris alcohol ban

French authorities banned public alcohol consumption and sales in Paris from Friday, part of measures to take pressure off hospitals overwhelmed by the health impact of the heatwave.

‘Saturation point’

“We are reaching a saturation point in hospital facilities,” said Paris police prefect Patrice Faure, adding: “the number of hospitalisations keeps increasing.”

UK record, again

The UK suffered its hottest ever June day Thursday, with temperatures reaching 36.7C in the southwest, breaking a record set earlier that day.

Germany just off record

In Germany, temperatures reached 39C in the southwestern town of Kirrlach, just shy of the June record of 39.6 set in 2019, according to provisional data from the German Weather Service (DWD).

Experts say the record could easily be broken over the weekend.

French care home aid

France’s government will grant 50 million euros ($57 million) in fresh funds for retirement homes to install cooling equipment, disabilities minister Camille Galliard-Minier said on news channel BFMTV.

First Dutch red heat alert

The Netherlands issued its first-ever red alert for heat, with temperatures forecast to reach 40C in some places.

“The situation is dangerous; follow the guidance from the government and emergency services,” the national weather institute said.

Swiss see June heat record

Switzerland registered its hottest ever June temperature on Thursday, with 38C measured in the northern city of Basel, breaking a previous record of 36.9C set eight decades ago, the Swiss weather service said.

Slovakia heat warnings

The Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute issued top level-three heat warnings for Saturday. Temperatures in the southwest could reach up to 38C.

London emergencies soar

London’s ambulance service said Thursday it had recorded its highest ever number of “life-threatening emergencies” in one day because of “extreme heat” across Britain’s capital.

On Wednesday, the service responded to 642 “category one” calls, which include the most serious illnesses, such as cardiac arrests and patients who are not breathing.

French teachers call strike

French teaching unions called for a strike to protest “unacceptable working conditions” as the heatwave shatters temperature records in the country.

“The health of staff and pupils, as well as their working conditions, are being put at risk,” the unions said in a joint statement, denouncing a “clear lack of preparation” for heatwaves.

France shuts nuclear reactors

France’s electricity utility EDF shut down two more nuclear reactors—bringing the total to three—as extreme heat raised river temperatures.

That restricted the plants’ ability to discharge cooling water without exceeding environmental limits.

Switzerland said it was reducing operations at its Beznau plant and would shut down reactors if the heat persisted, giving similar reasons.

Another child dies in France

A three-year-old boy died after getting trapped in his family’s car in the Paris suburbs, a public prosecutor said, after two similar deaths during the extreme weather this week.

The boy was supposed to be napping, but escaped his parents’ supervision for at least 45 minutes and climbed into the car. He was unable to get out because child locks on the doors were activated.

Scores of heat deaths in Spain

The heatwave could be linked to 212 deaths in Spain between Sunday and Wednesday, according to estimates from the MoMo monitoring system, which compiles daily death statistics and compares them with historical records. — AFP