A heatwave that has impacted Southern and Western Europe since the beginning of summer reached its last day in France on Wednesday, resulting in two fatalities, as it moved eastward towards Germany, where extreme temperatures were recorded.
Temperatures surpassed 40 degrees Celsius in southern France and reached 38 degrees in Paris by Tuesday. On Wednesday, four departments in central France remained under a maximum red alert.
Meanwhile, Germany experienced extreme heat on Wednesday, with temperatures expected to hit 38 degrees Celsius in Berlin.
Eighteen-year-old Nora, who sells strawberries at a street stall in the German capital, remarked, “It feels like being in a sauna. I brought two liters of cold water with me and am trying to drink plenty of fluids.”
Margha, a mother of two whom AFP spoke with in Frankfurt, expressed that these heatwaves are “cause for concern,” but “what’s even more alarming is the lack of interest from politicians.”
Belgium also recorded highs of 35 degrees Celsius, leading to the temporary closure of the iconic Atomium in Brussels.
The Netherlands experienced its first “tropical nights” of the year, with nighttime temperatures exceeding 20 degrees.
– Political Controversy –
Heatwaves are not a new phenomenon following the exploitation of coal, oil, and gas over the decades—fuels responsible for global warming. However, this heat has started arriving earlier and later in the year, occurring in June and September, which is outside the usual vacation periods.
France recorded its second-hottest June since records began in 1900, with average temperatures exceeding normal by 3.3 degrees Celsius, as stated by Environmental Transition Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher on Monday.
She confirmed, “Over 300 individuals received emergency treatment from medical teams, with two fatalities linked to the heat.”
The aging infrastructure in French schools and the lack of air conditioning have sparked a political debate, prompting the National Rally party to call for a comprehensive air conditioning plan.
Approximately 1,900 French schools lacking the necessary facilities, such as window shutters, air conditioning, and fans, closed their doors on Tuesday, impacting about 3% of educational institutions in the country. Classes were held outdoors in other schools.
In Rotterdam, the Dutch schools closed early on Tuesday due to “tropical” conditions. In Germany, students can take a break due to the heat, known as “Hitzefrei,” a policy that dates back to the 19th century.
– Parks and Swimming –
Many cities across Europe, especially in France, extended the hours of their parks. In Paris, misting stations and air conditioning units were set up to provide relief and connect with isolated seniors.
Interest in water activities surged in France, with Parisians swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin and thousands defying a swimming ban in a tributary of the Loire River.
Spain continued to feel the heat, with air conditioning being more common there, even as rain was anticipated. In the Lleida region of Catalonia in northeastern Spain, firefighters reported discovering two bodies following a fire.
Earlier, Catalonia’s police had reported the death of a two-year-old child who had been left in a parked car under the sun for several hours.
The Canal Sur station in Andalusia maintained its summer tradition, successfully frying an egg on a skillet placed in the street in Seville.
It may take several months to assess the full impact of this heatwave, but it serves as a reminder of the deadly heatwaves of 2003 and 2022, which resulted in 70,000 and 61,000 deaths, respectively, particularly among the elderly.