Hungary Issues Highest-Level Heat Alert as European Heatwave Claims Over 200 Lives

Hungary’s national health authority extended the red‑code heat alert and raised the warning to a third‑level (harmadik fokú) across the whole country from 00:00 GMT on 27 June until 24:00 GMT on 30 June. Officials warned that daytime temperatures could reach 38–41 °C in many regions, with some locations potentially exceeding 40 °C, and urged vulnerable groups – children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses – to stay hydrated, avoid the midday sun and seek cooler environments.

In Spain, the third‑day heatwave was linked to more than 200 excess deaths, most of them people over 85 years old, as reported by the Carlos III Health Institute. Similar mortality spikes were recorded in the northern regions of Galicia and Asturias.

The United Kingdom temporarily closed more than 1 200 schools and nurseries in England and Wales because many premises lack adequate air‑conditioning for temperatures approaching 40 °C.

Across Europe, the heatwave—dubbed a “heat‑cupola”—has pushed temperatures above 40 °C in France, Italy, the Czech Republic, Germany and other nations, prompting fire bans, water‑use restrictions and emergency measures such as free water distribution by rail operators, free home‑delivery services and discounted bottled‑water sales in Hungary.

Authorities in the affected countries continue to monitor the situation, advise the public on heat‑related health risks, and maintain heightened alert levels through the weekend.