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Deadly heat wave grips Europe with red alerts and scorching records
NBC News • • world
Key Points:
- A severe heat wave is impacting Europe, with record-high temperatures in France, Spain, and Britain causing widespread disruptions, including school closures, event cancellations, and alcohol consumption restrictions.
- France experienced its hottest June day on record, with temperatures reaching up to 43.3°C (109.9°F), leading to at least 40 drowning deaths as people sought relief at water bodies.
- Spain and Italy have issued maximum-level heat alerts, with Madrid canceling public events and temperatures forecast to reach 44°C (111°F), while Germany reported heat-related swimming fatalities and issued high-level warnings.
- Britain faces near-record temperatures approaching 40°C, challenging infrastructure and housing not designed for extreme heat, leading to discomfort and transit delays, especially on the London Underground.
- Experts emphasize that while adaptation measures are necessary, addressing climate change directly is crucial to prevent increasingly severe heatwaves, as Europe is warming twice as fast as the global average.
