Europe faces an extreme heatwave: over 1,300 deaths and historic temperature records

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that since June 21, there have been more than 1,300 additional deaths in Europe due to the heatwave affecting the continent.

According to Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, “heat stress is often referred to as the silent killer”, noting that European homes, schools, and workplaces were not designed to withstand such extreme temperatures.

Currently, 150 million people are living under extreme heat conditions, with school closures, power grid failures, and overwhelmed emergency services.

Historical Temperature Records

Over the weekend, several European countries shattered records:

• Czech Republic: 41.9 °C, the hottest day in its history.
• Germany: three consecutive days of record highs, with 41.7 °C in Neißemünde.
• Poland: absolute record of 40.5 °C.
• Switzerland: 39 °C in Basel, a record for July.
• Denmark: unprecedented temperatures accompanied by thunderstorms with over a thousand lightning strikes.

In France, the wave particularly affected those over 65, with a 40% increase in home deaths.

Social and Urban Impacts

The extreme heat generated multiple consequences:

• Forest fires in Germany, complicated by unexploded World War II munitions.
• Damaged infrastructure: cracks in highways and suspension of trams in Leipzig.
• Urban emergencies: Berlin police used water cannons to cool crowds at the Brandenburg Gate.
• Cultural events affected: Paris Fashion Week faced controversies over water use in a Louis Vuitton show.

Environmental and Health Consequences

The heatwave caused:

• Heat stress in vulnerable populations.
• Collapse of health services and emergencies.
• Alterations in ecosystems due to fires and droughts.
• Violent storms following extreme heat, with severe injuries in Denmark and Sweden.

Climate Change as a Key Factor

A study by the World Weather Attribution consortium concluded that this heatwave would have been virtually impossible five decades ago without the impact of climate change. Today, such phenomena are 200 times more likely than just 20 years ago.

Scientific evidence reinforces the urgency of advancing emission mitigation policies, although international negotiations remain stalled.

The 2026 heatwave in Europe not only sets historical temperature records but also exposes the fragility of urban infrastructure and the vulnerability of millions of people.

The “silent killer” of extreme heat reminds us that climate change is already altering daily life and that prevention and adaptation are essential to reduce its impact.