A heat mass in Europe is beginning to move eastward, spreading heat across more countries. Meanwhile, France has raised its alert level again, stating that even young people are at risk from the heat.
On Thursday, 25 Jun 2026 GMT+7, French authorities declared the highest level 3 public health alert to mobilize medical personnel against the heatwave. The Health Minister warned that this heatwave is dangerous not only to the elderly but also to healthy young people.
Ambulance units in Paris reported a fourfold increase in cardiac arrest cases within 24 hours. Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire criticized teenagers who continue to jog in such weather as exhibiting “irresponsible” behavior.
In Rennes, 5-6 deaths have been reported in private homes, all aged 60 or older, and regional intensive care units are reaching capacity. There were also tragic reports of a 3-year-old child dying after being left in a car near Paris, following two similar child fatalities in southern France a few days earlier.
The heatwave has prompted the French teachers' union to announce strike action, citing intolerable working conditions due to the heat. At the same time, three nuclear power plants have temporarily shut down because of the extreme temperatures.
France is also facing unstable weather, with some western areas preparing for severe thunderstorms. The first day of the Garorock music festival was canceled because temperatures are expected to reach 42 degrees Celsius, accompanied by potentially strong winds.
Following several days of intense heat in Spain, the United Kingdom, and France, the heat mass is now moving eastward, affecting a wider range of countries.
In Germany and the Czech Republic, temperatures may reach up to 40 degrees Celsius over the weekend. German authorities have canceled the half marathon in Hamburg, and train services in both countries allow passengers to cancel or reschedule trips without penalty if unnecessary.
In Spain, although temperatures have begun to cool due to Atlantic air masses, surveillance systems report 213 deaths possibly linked to the heat, including 95 fatalities on Wednesday, 24 Jun 2026 GMT+7 alone.
In the United Kingdom, the Meteorological Office extended the severe red heat warning for London and the southeast of England.
In Italy, the Uffizi Museum in Florence temporarily stopped ticket sales because its air conditioning could not handle the extreme heat. Temperatures in Italy are expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius next Monday.
Italian experts note that June weather this century has changed drastically from the previous century, with average nighttime temperatures reaching 29 degrees Celsius compared to the historic average of 17 degrees Celsius.
Other European countries have also issued alerts: Luxembourg declared a red warning; Switzerland announced its highest drought warning; and in the Netherlands and Austria, particularly Vienna, temperatures are expected to rise to 39-40 degrees Celsius over the weekend.
The United Nations' head of climate change stated, “This brutal heatwave in Europe clearly shows signs of the Climate Crisis,” urging all countries to accelerate the transition to renewable energy and develop faster response systems.
Follow international news:https://www.thairath.co.th/news/foreign
Source:BBC