BERLIN (AP) - France reported approximately 1,000 additional deaths last week during a record-breaking heat wave, according to the country’s public health agency. The surge comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, emphasized that Europe is the fastest-warming continent and called for stronger protection measures for its citizens.
The unprecedented heat wave, which impacted several countries, sparked wildfires in Germany, where temperatures soared. Berlin police employed water cannons to offer relief to the public, as the heat slowly migrated eastward across the continent.
In Germany, Neißemünde recorded a staggering 41.7 degrees Celsius (107 degrees Fahrenheit) over the weekend, marking a new record for the third consecutive day. Meanwhile, the Czech Republic experienced its hottest day ever, reaching 41.9 degrees Celsius (107.4 degrees Fahrenheit), surpassing its previous record of 40.9 degrees Celsius (105.6 degrees Fahrenheit) set just a day earlier.
A study from World Weather Attribution, a collaboration of European scientists, concluded that the extreme heat and humidity experienced last week in Europe would not have occurred without climate change. The study indicated that such weather patterns would have been nearly impossible five decades ago, and heat events like these are 200 times more likely today compared to 20 years ago.
In France, the Public Health Agency reported a significant increase in deaths related to the heat, particularly in private homes, especially within the Paris region. On Wednesday, during the heat peak, the death toll exceeded 1,200, with figures rising to over 1,400 on the two subsequent days. Prior to the heatwave, the death rate in France typically ranged between 900 to 1,000 per day. The agency estimates that at least 1,000 additional deaths occurred over just those three days, particularly among individuals aged 65 and above, concentrated in areas under red heat warnings.
WHO Director-General Tedros noted that approximately 150 million people in Europe are currently experiencing extreme heat, leading to numerous fatalities, school closures, and power grid issues. He warned that heat stress, often referred to as the “silent killer,” poses serious risks, particularly as European infrastructure was not constructed to handle such high temperatures. Since June 21, over 1,300 excess deaths linked to the heat have been reported in Europe, prompting calls for action plans to bolster preparedness and health system responses.
In Sweden, a lightning strike at an amusement park in Tomelilla resulted in injuries to several individuals, with three adults hospitalized, including one with severe injuries. As thunderstorms followed the extreme heat across Europe, Denmark reported over 1,156 lightning strikes by Sunday morning.
Additionally, wildfires were ignited in eastern Germany, particularly in Gohrischheide, in forests contaminated with World War II ammunition, complicating firefighting efforts. In the village of Traisen, a significant firefight operation was required as a forest fire spread in an area previously contaminated with unexploded ordnance. Residents in Traisen were evacuated as the blaze continued to expand.
The heat wave also strained emergency services in major cities, with Berlin reporting an additional 500 ambulance dispatches primarily related to heat illnesses. As conditions deteriorated, the police utilized water cannons to provide cooling relief to locals and tourists near the Brandenburg Gate.
Infrastructure damage resulted from the extreme heat, affecting highways and prompting Deutsche Bahn, Germany’s national rail operator, to advise against non-essential travel. In one incident, over 600 passengers were evacuated from an overheated train near Brandenburg due to a fallen tree causing power outages, with two individuals hospitalized due to heat-related issues. Furthermore, Leipzig's public transportation system halted tram operations until early Monday morning due to heat damage to tracks and switches.
As Europe grapples with the impacts of this intense heat wave, the focus remains on addressing the immediate health risks and long-term climate challenges exacerbated by global warming.
