Extreme summer heatwaves trigger record temperatures and excess deaths across Europe

Western and Southern Europe continue to face severe heatwaves, with multiple countries recording extreme temperatures and rising health impacts. In Italy, health authorities issued top-level red alerts across all 27 major cities as the country's fourth heatwave of the season brought temperatures near 40 degrees Celsius and caused at least four deaths.

Elsewhere, Austria set a national temperature record of 40.8 degrees Celsius in a suburb of Vienna. In France, health officials reported over 7,300 excess deaths linked to 52 heatwave days between May and July, with high temperatures persisting. Meanwhile, authorities in the United Kingdom and France are preparing for further spikes, following reports that Spain recorded its hottest July on record alongside widespread drought and wildfire risks.

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