Europe’s latest heat wave: Spain reports 1,029 heat deaths; Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia, Austria show record temperatures | Today’s news
Europe’s record-breaking heatwave is gradually waning but continues to plague large parts of eastern and southern Europe, leaving a trail of record temperatures, excess deaths, power outages, water shortages, wildfires and severe storms.
Scientists from World Weather Attribution said the heatwave was the most severe ever recorded in Europe and would have been “virtually impossible” in June without human-caused climate change.
More than 95 million people still face extreme heat
While the number of people exposed to temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius dropped from around 190 million on Sunday and 130 million on Monday, more than 95 million people are still forecast to endure such temperatures on Tuesday.
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A recent heat wave in Europe has caused record temperatures, excess deaths, power outages, water shortages, wildfires and severe storms in affected areas.
Scientists at the World Weather Attribution said this heat wave would have been “virtually impossible” in June without human-caused climate change, calling it the most severe in recorded history.
Spain reported 1,029 heat-related deaths in June, the most since 2015, as temperatures were well above normal that month.
In Hungary, authorities imposed water restrictions in more than 120 municipalities and urged residents to conserve water due to unprecedented temperatures.
Europe faces air conditioning challenges due to infrastructure constraints, noise and aesthetic regulations, and environmental concerns related to increased energy consumption.
Almost two in five Europeans were expected to experience temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius, with eastern and southern Europe remaining the worst affected areas.
Spain records more than 1,000 heat-related deaths as June becomes second hottest on record
Spain recorded 1,029 excess deaths linked to extreme heat in June, official data showed on Wednesday, after a five-day heat wave pushed temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) across much of the country.
It was the highest number of heat-related deaths recorded in June since 2015, according to the MoMo Health Department’s daily mortality tracking system.
Spain’s national meteorological agency AEMET said average temperatures during June were 3.2 degrees Celsius above normal, making it the second warmest June on record for the country, behind only June 2025.
At the peak of the heat wave on June 23, some 35.7 million people, or 73% of Spain’s population, were exposed to health risks from extreme heat. Of these, 38% faced high-risk conditions.
Hungary broke the historical temperature record
Hungary recorded its hottest temperature on record after the mercury in Szecseny reached 42°C, beating the previous national record of 41.9°C set in 2007.
Budapest also recorded a record 41C.
Authorities imposed water restrictions in more than 120 municipalities as reservoirs came under pressure.
Prime Minister Peter Magyar urged residents to conserve water, avoid non-essential purposes such as washing cars and watering lawns, and ordered government employees to work from home if possible while outside work schedules are adjusted.
Slovakia set a new national record twice
Slovakia first recorded 41C in Turni nad Bodvou on Monday, before raising the national record to 41.3C in Kamenice nad Hronom on Tuesday.
Several cities imposed water restrictions, while cities including Nitra faced potable water shortages, requiring tanker deliveries.
Ukraine implements emergency blackouts
In Ukraine, temperatures of 35 to 38°C further strained the power grid already weakened by more than four years of Russian attacks.
Authorities ordered emergency power cuts for homes and industry and warned that further cuts would follow.
Sergii Kovalenko said the damaged network was already operating at its capacity limit as repairs continued over the summer.
Poland warns against electricity supplies
Poland saw record temperatures earlier in the heatwave and later faced concerns about electricity supplies.
Grid operator PSE ordered power producers to maximize generation during the evening peak after low wind production combined with heavy air conditioning using reduced reserve capacity.
The country also reported 17 drowning deaths in a single Sunday as people sought relief from the heat.
France faces rising death toll and political fallout
France has reported at least 1,000 excess deaths linked to the heat wave since June 20, according to public health authorities, while funeral homes in Paris struggled with demand.
Several thousand homes around Paris also experienced power outages.
The country’s Green Party has announced plans to table a motion of no confidence in Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, accusing the government of failing to adequately prepare for current and expected future heat waves.
Government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon dismissed the move as a political maneuver.
Despite the temporary drop in temperatures, meteorologists warned that another heat wave could develop in the coming days.
Spain records more than 1,000 deaths due to the heat
Spain recorded 1,029 excess heat-related deaths during June, making it the deadliest June since 2015.
The weather agency there said June was the second warmest on record, with average temperatures 3.2C above normal.
At the height of the heat wave, almost 36 million people – around 73% of Spain’s population – were exposed to health risks.
Authorities said hundreds of local temperature records were broken in June, bolstering evidence that extreme heat is coming earlier in the summer.
Austria records the hottest June heat wave
Austria experienced the longest June heat wave in history.
The National Weather Service said temperatures exceeded previous June averages by 1.4C, with 66 weather stations recording annual temperature records.
Mountain areas were about 5 °C warmer than the recent climate average.
Vienna recorded a record 40C on Sunday.
Croatia set a temperature record in the city
The Croatian coastal city of Split reached 39.5°C, the highest temperature recorded since records began in 1948.
The previous city record of 38.6 C had stood since 1950.
The country remained below its all-time national record of 42.8C set in 1981.
Serbia records the hottest June day
Serbia’s capital Belgrade recorded a record high of 38.9C, the hottest June day ever recorded in the city.
The heat has also contributed to the risk of forest fires across the Balkans.
Bosnia is battling forest fires
Bosnia and Herzegovina deployed firefighters to battle fires fueled by extreme temperatures as much of the Balkans braced for temperatures approaching 40C.
Read also | Extreme heat is coming. The power grid and data centers can experience voltage.
Portugal declared the highest temperature alert
Portugal has put Lisbon and Setubal on red alert for extreme heat, with up to 44C forecast in parts of Leiria and Coimbra later in the week.
The National Weather Service warned that the heatwave could last for at least a week, with unusually warm nights above 24C in some coastal areas.
Deadly storms hit Romania after a heat wave
After enduring temperatures above 40°C, strong storms hit Romania overnight.
One person died after a tree fell on a vehicle in Bucharest.
Emergency crews responded to more than 2,200 calls, with almost 1,000 trees down and nearly 500 vehicles damaged.
Floods affected 20 districts as intense heat was followed by torrential rain.
Deaths, drownings and infrastructure under pressure
The World Health Organization said more than 1,300 deaths had been recorded across Europe since June 21.
Several children died after being left in locked vehicles, while numerous drowning deaths occurred as people sought relief in rivers and lakes.
The extreme temperatures also caused widespread disruption, including power outages, water shortages, transport disruptions and pressure on health care and funeral services in many countries.
(With AFP, Reuters inputs)
Read also | Heat wave in Europe: 1,300 dead, Ukrainian power grid under voltage, forest fires across the Balkans
