200 Million Europeans Affected As Heatwave Continues To Break Records In Germany, Denmark
200 Million Europeans Affected As Heatwave Continues To Break Records In Germany, Denmark Published By, Last Updated: June 28, 2026, 18:35 IST As Europe heatwave
200 Million Europeans Affected As Heatwave Continues To Break Records In Germany, Denmark Published By, Last Updated: June 28, 2026, 18:35 IST As Europe heatwave leaves about 191 million people affected, WHO warns of rising deaths and major impacts on health, ecosystems and daily life. People sit at the side of the Dortmund-Ems Canal in Dortmund, western Germany, during a heatwave in Europe. (Image: AFP) Several countries in Europe have witnessed record-breaking temperatures and also recorded a rise in the death toll due to the heatwave. According to The Guardian, more than 191 million people in Europe are facing temperatures over 35C. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned of “major impacts" to health, ecosystems, agriculture and labour. “We need to get used to it, unfortunately," said spokeswoman Clare Nullis. The WMO also said that over 1,300 excess deaths had been recorded in Europe since June 21 due to the ongoing heatwave in the continent. “Right now 150 million people are living under extreme heat, hundreds have died, schools are shut, grids are buckling," WMO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on X, adding that “more than 1,300 excess deaths have been recorded since June 21 linked to high temperatures in Europe".
Germany According to BBC, Germany’s highest ever temperature of 41.3C was recorded provisionally in the south-western city of Saarbrücken, just over the border from France, which this week endured its hottest temperatures three days in a row. Alemania descendio a la locura por la mega ola de calor de 39 gradossacaron los camiones hidrantes y estan mojando a la gente de la calle para que este fresca kjj pic.twitter.com/GcxwMPMGoq — ElBuni (@therealbuni) June 27, 2026 The temperature in Kubschuetz reportedly did not dip below 29.4C even during the night, making it the warmest night in almost 150 years, according to the German weather service (DWD). To counter the rising temperatures, the Berlin police resorted to water cannon to help residents cool off. France French health officials on Sunday said that there have been around 1,000 deaths, which is more than expected, during the record-breaking heatwave. Of the 1,000, 85% of deaths were of the elderly. AFP reported the agency saying that areas under red alert for heat had been particularly badly affected, and 85 per cent of the deaths had been those aged 65 and over.
“Since June 24, approximately 1,000 additional deaths (unconsolidated figures) have been observed compared to the deaths recorded in previous months," Public Health France said in a statement. France has been among the countries hardest hit by the ongoing spell. Paris has recorded more days above 40 degrees Celsius this week than it did during the entire period from 1872 to 2019, highlighting the exceptional nature of the current heatwave. Belgium According to AFP, one person died in Belgium overnight when a tree fell on his vehicle just outside Brussels, media said, after violent storms hit much of the country. Rome has reportedly opted for an innovative way to counter the rising temperatures. According to Reuters, the authorities are using smart bracelets as a key health prevention tool. “The bracelet is crucial for elderly people in this hot period, especially because their blood pressure drops, their heart rate is slightly lower than normal, they really suffer," clinical psychologist Piera Pomente said. UK The United Kingdom has broken its record of hottest June day on three successive days – Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The Express quoted the Met Office predicting the conclusion of the heatwave on Sunday as temperatures will likely dip by 19C.
The BriefWire