Europe heatwave kills over 1,300 and shatters temperature records

A prolonged heatwave across Europe in late June 2026 has caused more than 1,300 deaths, according to the World Health Organization, and left about 150 million people exposed to extreme heat stress. Record‑high temperatures were recorded in several countries – 41.7 °C in Germany’s Cochem, 41.3 °C in Germany’s Brandenburg region, 43.8 °C in Palluau, France, and 41.1 °C in the Czech Republic – while power grids approached collapse under soaring demand.

The extreme heat is also disrupting critical infrastructure beyond the energy sector. Data‑center operators in Europe and the United States report cooling failures and heightened electricity consumption, prompting insurers such as Zurich to attribute roughly one‑third of recent losses to weather‑related events. New AI‑hardware facilities, including multi‑billion‑dollar sites in Texas, Tennessee, Ohio and Brazil, are being evaluated for climate‑risk exposure.

In the Mediterranean, sea‑surface temperatures have risen 2.5‑6.3 °C above normal, creating a strong marine heatwave in the western and central Mediterranean, though the Aegean remains cooler. Greece is expected to face milder conditions than its western neighbours, with temperatures projected in the high 30s and occasional thunderstorms.

Health authorities warn vulnerable groups – children, the elderly and those with chronic illnesses – face heightened risk from “tropical nights” when nighttime temperatures stay above 20 °C. Authorities have deployed water cannons, urged residents to stay hydrated and limit travel during peak heat, and issued high‑level weather alerts across the continent.