France reports 1,000 excess deaths as historic heatwave moves east, shattering temperature records from Germany to Denmark

Record temperatures sweep east

On Saturday, Germany set a new preliminary all-time high of 41.5°C in Moeckern-Drewitz, topping the 41.3°C record set a day earlier. The Czech Republic recorded up to 40.9°C north of Prague, surging past its previous national record, while Denmark measured 37°C north of Aarhus – its highest since measurements began in 1874. In Poland, 38.9°C broke the June record, with the west forecast to reach 42°C on Sunday. Slovakia expected its first three consecutive days above 40°C since 1871.

Yesterday's record will most definitely be broken again.

Nighttime offered little relief. Overnight lows stayed above 20°C at more than 100 Czech stations, and Germany’s Bautzen reported a minimum of 29.4°C.

Death toll mounts in West as heat eases

France’s public health agency on Sunday reported 1,000 excess deaths between 24 and 27 June, with the mortality rate expected to rise once residential-care data is included. Most victims were elderly. Spain recorded 327 heat-related deaths this week, while Italy had at least five fatalities from the heat. In France, at least 40 drownings were reported, and two children died in a car.

Health Minister Stéphanie Rist warned that the health impact could persist well after temperatures drop.

The episode is not finished.

Infrastructure and daily life hit

Europe’s infrastructure buckled under the stress. Switzerland’s Beznau nuclear plant shut down because the Aare River grew too warm for cooling. Hungary’s Paks reactor cut output as the Danube heated up. In Germany, Deutsche Bahn urged against non-essential travel, and Berlin police deployed water cannons to spray overheated residents. France extended summer sales, while schools, museums and outdoor events were curtailed across the continent. Poland’s security agency sent emergency text alerts and cities set up water curtains.

This heat isn't pleasant summer weather. It's a health crisis.

Climate change multiplies risk

Scientists said the heatwave, which began on 20 June, would have been virtually impossible without human-caused climate change. Night-time temperatures this week were made 100 times more likely than two decades ago. The pattern aligns with Europe warming faster than any other continent over the past 30 years.