European heatwave brings record temperatures and thousands of excess deaths

Europe faces severe heatwaves, with Italy declaring widespread red alerts, Austria breaking temperature records, and France reporting thousands of heat-related excess deaths.
Southern and Western Europe continue to face severe summer conditions as recurring heatwaves trigger health alerts and push temperatures to historic highs.
In Italy, health authorities issued red weather alerts for all 27 major cities during the country's fourth heatwave of the season, warning of high health risks and temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius. Austria registered its highest temperature on record after a station in a Vienna suburb reached 40.8 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, French health officials reported more than 7,300 excess deaths linked to 52 heatwave days between May and July. Both France and the United Kingdom are preparing for another wave of extreme heat, while persistent drought and wildfire risks continue across the region.
Sources: Aftenposten, Berlingske, DR, TV 2 Nyheter, VG (Verdens Gang)
Sources
- Berlingske — Østrig måler højeste temperatur nogensinde
- TV 2 Nyheter — Italia koker: Rødt farevarsel i 27 byer
- DR — Italiens sundhedsministerium advarer om ekstrem varme
- VG (Verdens Gang) — Ny hetebølge rammer Europa: Opp mot 40 grader
- Aftenposten — Over 7300 ekstra dødsfall under hetebølgen i Frankrike
Earlier coverage
- Oct 14, 2026, 11:30 PM UTCFourth summer heatwave brings record temperatures and health warnings across Europe
- Oct 14, 2026, 05:30 PM UTCEurope faces escalating fourth heatwave as temperatures hit historic highs
- Oct 14, 2026, 11:30 AM UTCEurope faces prolonged fourth heatwave as temperatures hit historic highs
- Oct 14, 2026, 05:00 AM UTCExtreme heat persists across Europe as temperature records fall and health warnings expand
- Oct 13, 2026, 11:30 PM UTCFourth heatwave hits Europe as temperatures reach record highs
- Oct 13, 2026, 11:00 AM UTCExtreme heatwave sweeps Europe as Austria sets temperature record
- Oct 13, 2026, 04:30 AM UTCExtreme heat across Europe triggers record temperatures and public health warnings
- Oct 13, 2026, 04:00 AM UTCExtreme heatwaves trigger red alerts and record temperatures across Europe
- Oct 12, 2026, 11:00 PM UTCExtreme heatwaves trigger national records and health warnings across Europe
- Oct 12, 2026, 10:00 PM UTCEuropean heatwaves trigger record temperatures and thousands of excess deaths