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Europe braces for historic early-summer heatwave as France issues red alert warnings
Europe braces for historic heatwave as France issues first red alert of the year
Europe scorches as record heatwave sparks health alerts and safety fears
Europe is gripped by a historic heatwave as temperatures soared to 40°C on Saturday, forcing governments to impose emergency measures and disrupting daily life across the continent. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu convened a crisis meeting on Saturday morning after Météo-France placed 35 departments on red alert for Sunday, banning public alcohol consumption ahead of the Fête de la musique. The national weather agency warned that temperatures could reach 41°C in central and northern regions by early next week, with 60 departments already on orange alert .
Germany, the worst-hit country, recorded temperatures up to 39°C, with roads buckling under the heat and festivals evacuated due to violent storms. The German Weather Service (DWD) issued warnings as lightning injured several people and disrupted transport, including a server outage at Cologne’s public transport authority . In Italy, tourists and residents faced extreme conditions, while Spain’s capital Madrid cancelled its World Cup fan zone due to dangerous heat .
Budapest activated emergency protocols, including street watering and special shelters for the homeless, as temperatures climbed. In France, authorities also moved to reduce nuclear power plant output due to cooling water constraints, while Germany’s Autobahns suffered structural damage from the heat . The crisis has exposed vulnerabilities in cities unaccustomed to such extremes, with some French regions bracing for temperatures exceeding 50°C .
The heatwave, which began on 17 June with peaks of 38–40°C in Spain and France, has intensified over the weekend, with Germany and the Netherlands recording 35–39°C. Météo-France’s red alert for Sunday marks the first time this year such a severe warning has been issued, underscoring the heatwave’s unprecedented scale . Authorities across Europe are urging residents to stay hydrated, avoid outdoor activities during peak hours, and check on vulnerable neighbours as the crisis deepens.
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