Deadly heatwave grips Western Europe, claims lives, disrupts daily life

PARIS/LONDON/ROME – An intense heatwave continued to scorch large parts of Western Europe on Thursday, resulting in dozens of deaths, straining infrastructure and disrupting daily activities across several countries as meteorologists warned that extreme temperatures could persist for days. Unusually hot conditions, driven by a high-pressure weather system known as an “Omega block,” have pushed temperatures well above seasonal averages and broken long-standing records across the continent. The United Kingdom registered its hottest June day on record, with temperatures reaching 35.8 degrees Celsius in southern England. The new mark surpassed the previous June record of 35.6 degrees Celsius that had stood for decades. France also experienced exceptional heat, with temperatures in Paris climbing to 40.9 degrees Celsius, setting a new June record for the French capital. Authorities expanded the highest-level weather warning to dozens of districts and cautioned that dangerous conditions would continue. French officials reported at least 50 fatalities linked to the heatwave since it began. Many of the deaths involved people seeking relief in rivers, lakes and coastal waters, while two young children died after being left inside a vehicle during the extreme heat. In Spain, authorities confirmed two heat-related deaths among elderly residents after several days of temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. Although conditions there showed signs of easing, meteorologists described the recent spell as one of the hottest late-June periods ever recorded. Italy placed 16 cities, including Rome, Milan, Florence and Turin, under the highest heat alert. Health authorities warned that temperatures could rise further before reaching their peak in the coming days. The extreme weather also affected energy production and public services. France reduced output at several nuclear power plants due to elevated river temperatures, while schools in parts of the Netherlands shortened clas