A heat wave has broken European records, causing thousands of deaths across France and other countries. The extreme temperatures, which are linked to climate change, have led to widespread damage and disruptions.
France saw around 1,000 additional deaths during the height of its record-breaking heat wave, according to the country’s public health agency. The surge in deaths was sharpest in areas under red warnings of extreme heat, where 85% of those who died were aged 65 and above.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that Europe is now the fastest-warming continent on Earth, with temperatures rising at twice the global average. The “once-in-a-generation” heat wave has been linked to over 1,300 excess deaths since June 21, mostly due to heat stress in homes and workplaces.
Other countries affected by the extreme heat include Germany, where wildfires were sparked near a WWII ammunition dump; Sweden, where lightning strikes injured several people at an amusement park; and Denmark, which recorded over 1,100 lightning strikes on Saturday.
In Berlin, police used water cannons to cool down crowds, while in Germany, firefighters battled forest fires that spread due to heat. The heat also caused damage to infrastructure, with highways breaking up and trains losing power due to overheating.
The European Union must take action to protect its citizens from the increasing frequency of extreme heat waves, says the WHO Director-General. “Europe is the fastest-warming continent on Earth… We need to do more to protect our citizens,” he said.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/europe-heat-temperature-records-france-deaths-germany-61f444317600cf1bd9af5af84cb582bd