Record-Breaking Temperatures Hit Europe, Causing Many Deaths

This summer, May and June brought high temperatures, hitting countries all across the globe. but Experts say Europe was hit the worst of all. Multiple countries in Europe faced extreme heat and record-shattering temperatures. This caused the number of deaths to increase in many countries.

Last May was the second-hottest May in 177 years of record-keeping in the world. The struggle in Europe was the worst as some countries are not accustomed to heat. For example, in Britain and France, many buildings not only do not have air conditioning, but are also built to trap heat in.

European officials predict that more than 200 deaths could be caused by the heatwave this summer. In June, more than twelve 12 countries went under high-level heat warnings, including Austria, Belgium, Britain, Croatia, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Serbia and Sweden.

Experts say that because of fossil fuels, the Earth is getting hotter every year. So each year, the number of daily lives and routines that are disturbed grows because of the heat. The extreme heat is a risk for everyone.

According to ANSA, Italy’s main news agency, five people died from being exposed to the heat for too long. Several died from working outside as well as one homeless man, proving that many do not have a choice but to be in the heat.

In Spain, temperatures reached 38 degrees Celsius or 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Britain’s temperatures are breaking records with 36.4 degrees Celsius or 97.5 degrees Fahrenheit. A city in Pakistan set a new heat record in May with 51.5 degrees Celsius or 125 degrees Fahrenheit.

In France, at least 40 people drowned, mostly teenagers who went swimming unsupervised. Three children were also found dead in parked cars. Paris hit 39.6 degrees Celsius, or 103.3 degrees Fahrenheit, expecting even higher temperatures later that day.

At one point, nearly 120,000 homes in France lost electricity and rail journeys were either canceled or delayed due to the concern of heat buckling the railway tracks.

In India, temperatures hit 50 degrees Celsius. Like many others across the globe, workers are forced to choose between their health and their wages.

Sources: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/world/europe/heat-wave.html