Europe Heatwave: 94 Million Affected, Records Broken in France, UK
A three-day heatwave in Europe broke records, affecting 94 million people, mainly in France and Spain, with temperatures exceeding 35°C. France saw highs of 44.3°C, while the UK recorded its hottest June day. The WHO called for urgent action on climate emissions.
Record-breaking temperatures affected tens of millions across Europe for the third consecutive day on Wednesday. An AFP analysis estimated at least 94 million people, primarily in France and Spain, faced temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius.
In France, temperatures reached 41 degrees in Nantes and Paris. On Tuesday, Pissos, near Bordeaux, hit 44.3 degrees. Météo France reported Tuesday had the highest nationwide temperatures for that point in summer. A third of France's administrative regions were under elevated forest fire risk. Spain's Aemet warned of «significant danger» from temperatures exceeding 40 degrees in some northern regions, forecasting a drop on Thursday.
Britain's Met Office provisionally recorded Wednesday as the hottest June day since records began, reaching 35.8 degrees in west Sussex, surpassing a 1976 record. Cooler conditions with thunderstorms are expected later this week. The WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, urged leaders to curb emissions, noting Europe's temperatures are rising at twice the global average.