Europe faces extreme heatwaves; record temperatures and health crises prompt varied governmental responses across countries.
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Europe is experiencing an intense heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in Romania and setting new historical highs in countries like Czechia and Germany. In Prague, emergency services reported 85 cases of people collapsing due to the heat in a single day. Ecological parliamentarians in France and Germany criticized authorities’ lack of preparation, while populist groups in Czechia mocked the measures. Romania also made history by postponing the second Baccalaureate exam by one day. The highest temperature ever recorded in Germany was 41.7°C in Coschen. In Czechia, two records were broken during this heatwave, and many outdoor events were canceled. Vienna reached 40°C for the first time historically. Romania reported two deaths due to the heat, with one person declared deceased on Sunday and another requiring hospitalization. The Ministry of Education postponed a mandatory Baccalaureate exam by one day. In Bucharest, public fountains and mist showers were installed in crowded areas, while the state railway operator warned of potential speed limits due to high temperatures. Croatia implemented measures such as free entry to museums, galleries, and libraries in Zagreb, and offered temporary accommodation for homeless individuals in Rijeka. The World Health Organization stated that over 1,300 heat-related deaths were recorded across Europe in the last seven days, noting that Europe is warming twice as fast as the global average due to climate change. In France, authorities reported about 1,000 heat-related deaths during a week-long heatwave, leading to political debate over government failures and funding for climate action. German medical associations criticized the federal government’s lack of action on heat protection, with Green party members proposing subsidized solar-powered air conditioning in hospitals and schools. In Czechia, the government has only issued general recommendations, which were met with irony from right-wing populist parties. Greece has a long history with extreme temperatures; while modern infrastructure like air conditioning is more widespread than in Romania, heatwaves still impact daily life, leading to school closures and construction site shutdowns when temperatures exceed 38°C.
