Europe faces relentless summer heat as record temperatures and health warnings spread

Severe heatwaves continue to impact large parts of Europe, triggering red alerts, historic temperature records, and thousands of excess deaths. Italian health officials issued top-level heat warnings for all 27 major cities, including Messina and Reggio Calabria, as temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius persist alongside four reported heat-related fatalities.

Elsewhere in Central and Western Europe, extreme conditions show little sign of easing. Austria recorded its highest temperature on record at 40.8 degrees Celsius near Vienna. In France, where heatwave conditions have persisted for 52 days since mid-June, health authorities reported over 7,300 excess deaths. Meanwhile, meteorologists warn that imminent high temperatures across France and the United Kingdom are set to exacerbate existing drought conditions and elevate wildfire risks across the region.

Sources: Aftenposten, Berlingske, DR, TV 2 Nyheter, VG (Verdens Gang)