Record heatwave kills 1,300 across Europe as US braces for triple-digit Fourth of July

A deadly toll emerges

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recorded more than 1,300 excess deaths across Europe since 21 June as an intense heatwave swept the continent. France's national public health agency reported roughly 1,000 additional deaths between 24 and 27 June alone, predominantly among people over 65, though younger adults were also affected. The agency warned that the provisional figures were likely to rise sharply as data on deaths in homes and care facilities trickled in.

Right now 150 million people are living under extreme heat, hundreds have died, schools are shut, grids are buckling.

On Sunday, nearly 191 million Europeans faced temperatures above 35°C, according to AFP estimates based on German Meteorological Service forecasts. A broader 381 million experienced at least 30°C. German authorities reported at least seven swimming deaths over the weekend as residents sought relief in lakes and rivers.

Temperature records crumble

Denmark recorded its highest temperature since measurements began in 1874, with readings of 36.6°C north of Odense (some sources said 37°C). Germany set all-time heat records, and the eastern town of Bautzen did not fall below 29.4°C overnight, the warmest night in nearly 150 years of record-keeping. Czechia's previous high of 40.6°C was shattered; the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute said temperatures could exceed 41°C. Slovakia expected to beat its 2007 record of 40.3°C, possibly for three straight days.

Poland's government sent SMS alerts urging people to avoid sun and strenuous activity, while Berlin police used water cannons to cool overheated residents. Deutsche Bahn advised against non-essential rail travel.

US braces for holiday scorcher

A separate, prolonged heatwave began to build across the central and eastern United States on Sunday, with more than 130 million Americans under moderate to severe heat risk. The National Weather Service forecast highs in the 90s to low 100s Fahrenheit, and heat indices of 100 to 115 due to oppressive humidity. Night-time lows in cities like New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC may not dip below 80°F (27°C) for several days.

That's heat that's impactful to anyone. It's not just older adults or younger children or people who are spending a ton of time outdoors, maybe straining themselves a little more than normal. This is heat that really could impact everyone.

Forecasters expect the heat dome to persist through the Fourth of July weekend, threatening record highs in Philadelphia (potentially tying the June record of 104°F), Washington, DC and New York City. World Cup matches and 250th anniversary celebrations will take place under sweltering conditions.

Adaptation and finger-pointing

French officials defended their emergency response. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez insisted the situation was "not a fiasco", saying authorities were prepared. Health Minister Stephanie Rist cautioned that the impact could linger for up to ten days, while acknowledging better preparation compared with the 2003 heatwave that killed roughly 15,000 people in France. Greens leader Marine Tondelier demanded political conclusions be drawn from the "very high death toll".

In Britain, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch's call to "get Britain drilling again" for oil and gas collided with a heatwave that forced the cancellation of London Climate Action Week sessions. Her party and other European right-wing populists are touting air-conditioning as a short-term fix, framing it as a cultural issue against environmental groups and mainstream elites.

This heatwave is the most severe ever recorded in Europe, and would have been virtually impossible in June without climate change.