Germany heatwave strains cooling device supply, sparks storms and airport surge

A prolonged heatwave across Germany has created multiple knock‑on effects. Shortages of fans and portable air‑conditioners have emerged, with retailers reporting stock‑outs and delivery delays of up to ten weeks. Prices have risen on the secondary market and counterfeit units are being advertised online. The extreme temperatures have also prompted severe thunderstorms, hail and wind gusts of up to 70 km/h in several Bavarian districts, prompting weather warnings. Meanwhile, the start of school holidays has driven a surge of about 600 000 passengers to Frankfurt Airport for the first weekend, prompting the operator to warn travellers of longer processing times, especially for non‑EU citizens. Health authorities caution that heat‑related deaths have already exceeded traffic fatalities this year, highlighting the vulnerability of the elderly, pregnant women, children and socially disadvantaged groups.