Europe gripped by deadly heatwave; UK issues rare red warnings, France holds crisis meeting after deaths
The UK has issued rare red heat warnings as temperatures are set to break June records, while France reports at least 18 deaths and holds a crisis meeting.
A deadly heatwave is sweeping across Europe, prompting the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to issue a red health warning for six regions of England from 1 am Wednesday to 11 pm Thursday. The warning indicates "a risk to life for even the healthy population" and potential impacts on transport, food, water, energy supplies and businesses. The regions affected are the West Midlands, East Midlands, South East, South West, London and east of England. This is the second red heat health warning ever issued, following the first in July 2022 when temperatures exceeded 40°C in the UK for the first time. An amber health alert has also been issued for the North West, North East, and Yorkshire and the Humber for the same period.
The UK Met Office has issued a rare red weather warning covering an area from London to Swansea and Somerset to Birmingham from 9 am Wednesday to 9 pm Thursday, with temperatures forecast to reach 38–40°C in parts of England and Wales. These warnings are reserved for the most severe events, indicating "severe and significant impacts" including widespread health risks and danger to life. The alert warns of "substantial changes" in working practices and daily routines, and a high risk of failure of heat-sensitive systems and equipment, potentially leading to loss of power and other essential services.
In France, a red heatwave alert has been issued for more than half of the country's departments, affecting about 39 million people. At least 18 deaths have been reported since the weekend, including two children left in a hot car. French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu is scheduled to hold a crisis meeting on Tuesday. More than 1,350 schools have been closed due to the heat. A nuclear plant near Toulouse in the south-west has switched off a reactor because cooling water from a nearby river was too warm.
Italy issued red heatwave alerts for 12 cities on Monday. In Spain, temperatures are 5–10°C above normal for this time of year, with San Sebastian in the north forecast to reach 40°C – more than double the historic average for 22 June. Belgium's heatwave is forecast to last a week, with the IRM meteorological institute warning of "the hottest ever recorded" temperatures. Germany reported five fatal swimming accidents over the weekend, and several heat-stricken passengers were treated at Frankfurt airport after their plane was held on the apron for over an hour. Forecasters note that high humidity and very warm nights will make it difficult for people to recover overnight.
