Record heatwaves hit Europe as health alerts expand across the continent

Record-breaking heatwaves continue to sweep across Europe, creating severe health hazards and prompting maximum alert levels in several countries. Italian health officials issued top-tier red warnings for all 27 major cities as the nation faces its fourth heatwave of the summer, with temperatures projected to hover near 40 degrees Celsius.

In Austria, meteorologists registered the country's highest temperature on record, reaching 40.8 degrees Celsius near Vienna. Meanwhile, French health authorities linked more than 7,300 excess deaths to prolonged periods of extreme heat since May, as France experienced 52 heatwave days since mid-June. Western European nations, including the United Kingdom and France, are bracing for further temperature spikes, worsening conditions alongside ongoing drought and wildfire threats across the region.

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