Record-breaking European heatwave kills dozens, forces hospital alerts as heat dome advances east

The heatwave, which began on 20 June, has been described by scientists as the worst ever recorded in Europe. All-time June highs were set in Paris (40.9°C on Wednesday) and across Britain on three consecutive days, culminating at 37.3°C in Santon Downham, Suffolk, on Friday. Germany posted its highest ever temperature of 41.3°C in Saarbrücken that same day, while Belgium and the Netherlands saw readings of 40°C and 39.4°C respectively.

Hospitals overwhelmed and death toll rises

In France, authorities confirmed at least 55 heat-related deaths, and emergency services recorded more than five times the normal number of fatalities in the Paris region on Thursday alone. The CGT healthworkers union warned that hospitals were "beginning to reserve refrigerated lorries" because mortuaries could not cope.

“There will be consequences in terms of the number of additional deaths.”

“The number of death certificates we are asked for... Personally, in 20 years with SOS Médecins, I have never experienced anything like this.”

France's 2003 heatwave caused 15,000 excess deaths; officials said the full toll from this event will not be known for weeks.

Transport and events grind to a halt

Extreme heat warped tarmac on Germany's A2 motorway, damaging 30 vehicles, while a cargo train derailed in Sweden after tracks buckled, halting traffic between Stockholm and Gothenburg. Austria's national rail operator warned of possible track buckling. Switzerland's Beznau nuclear plant shut down both reactors because water from the River Aare reached 25°C, too warm for safe cooling. In Britain, courtrooms closed, sentencing hearings were postponed, and six NHS trusts declared critical incidents. Paris cancelled the Solidays music festival and Pride parade, and a reenactment of the Battle of Waterloo in Belgium was scrapped.

Heat dome moves east

Forecasters expect the heat to intensify across central and eastern Europe this weekend. Poland and Germany are braced for 40°C on Saturday, while Austria's national record could fall on Sunday. Czech meteorologists believe a 2012 record of 40.4°C may be broken on Saturday. Croatia issued red-level warnings for Sunday with up to 38°C forecast, and Serbia expects 39°C. In the UK, an amber warning for extreme heat remains in place for south-east England and East Anglia until 21:00 on Saturday, though cooler Atlantic air will bring relief across the country by Sunday.

“We need to get used to it, unfortunately.”