41°C In Germany, 1,000 Deaths In France: How Extreme Heatwave Has Crippled Europe

Published 29 June 2026 · europe

41°C In Germany, 1,000 Deaths In France: How Extreme Heatwave Has Crippled Europe Published By, Last Updated: June 29, 2026, 12:29 IST Railway tracks are

41°C In Germany, 1,000 Deaths In France: How Extreme Heatwave Has Crippled Europe Published By, Last Updated: June 29, 2026, 12:29 IST Railway tracks are buckling under intense heat, nuclear power plants are cutting electricity production and hospitals are overflowing with patients suffering heatstrokes. Rapid Read People cool off in the fountains of the Place des Vosges during a heat wave in Paris. (Image: AP) Europe is in the grip of an unprecedented early-summer heatwave that has already claimed around 1,000 excess lives in France, broken all-time temperature records across several countries and left nearly 191 million people exposed to temperatures of 35°C or higher. From railway tracks buckling under intense heat to nuclear power plants cutting electricity production and hospitals overflowing with patients suffering heatstroke and dehydration, the crisis has highlighted how extreme heat has become one of the continent’s biggest public health and infrastructure challenges. Scientists say this is no longer an isolated weather event. Instead, it is part of a worrying trend driven by climate change, with Europe warming faster than any other continent. France Reports Around 1,000 Excess Deaths France has borne the brunt of the heatwave. According to French public health authorities, the country recorded approximately 1,000 excess deaths during the first week of the heatwave. “Excess deaths" refer to the number of people who died above what would normally be expected during the same period based on historical averages. Unlike official heatstroke fatalities, excess mortality captures the broader impact of extreme temperatures, including deaths caused by heart attacks, strokes, respiratory illnesses, kidney failure and worsening chronic diseases triggered by prolonged exposure to heat. During the worst days of the heatwave, France recorded over 1,400 deaths per day, compared to the seasonal average of 900–1,000 daily deaths. Health officials said nearly 90 per cent of the victims were aged 65 years or older, although younger people with pre-existing medical conditions were also affected. Many died inside their homes rather than in hospitals, highlighting one of the biggest dangers of heatwaves – they often kill silently. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 1,300 excess deaths have occurred across Europe since June 21, with the number expected to rise as mortality data from other countries is compiled.

Temperatures Cross 40°C Across Europe The scale of the heatwave has been extraordinary. Countries that rarely experience temperatures above 35°C have recorded all-time highs. Among the records Germany: 41.7°C in Coschen – the highest temperature ever officially recorded in the country. 41.7°C in Coschen – the highest temperature ever officially recorded in the country. Czech Republic: 41.9°C in Doksany – a new national record. 41.9°C in Doksany – a new national record. Poland: 40.5°C, breaking a record that had stood for more than a century. 40.5°C, breaking a record that had stood for more than a century. Hungary: 40.7°C, its hottest day on record. 40.7°C, its hottest day on record. Parts of France, Italy, Austria, Slovakia, Croatia and Serbia also crossed the 40°C mark. Meteorologists note that daytime temperatures are only part of the problem. Night-time temperatures in several cities remained above 25°C, a phenomenon known as “tropical nights." Without cooler nights, the human body gets little chance to recover from daytime heat, significantly increasing the risk of illness and death. Nearly 191 Million People Under Heat Alerts According to forecasts compiled by AFP, about 191 million Europeans were expected to experience temperatures of at least 35°C over the weekend. Schools in some regions shortened schedules, while local authorities opened cooling centres in public buildings and community halls. Hospitals Are Seeing a Surge in Heat Emergencies Emergency departments across France, Germany, Italy and several Central European countries have witnessed a sharp rise in patients suffering from heatstroke, heat exhaustion, severe dehydration, kidney complications, cardiovascular emergencies, and respiratory distress. Doctors say the elderly are particularly vulnerable because ageing reduces the body’s ability to regulate temperature. Many medications for blood pressure, heart disease and mental health conditions also make it harder for the body to cope with extreme heat. Railways and Roads Are Feeling the Heat The effects of the heatwave are visible across Europe’s transport network. Steel railway tracks expand when temperatures rise sharply. If they expand too much, they can buckle, increasing the risk of derailments. Rail operators in several countries have therefore imposed speed restrictions and delayed services to ensure passenger safety.