Heatwave breaks records in Germany, Denmark and Czech Republic

Key Points:

• Europe experienced another day of extreme heat with new temperature records set in Germany, Denmark, and the Czech Republic, as the heatwave moved north and east, affecting an estimated 150 million people with temperatures over 35°C.
• Germany recorded a new all-time high of 41.5°C in Möckern-Drewitz, surpassing the previous day's record of 41.3°C in Saarbrucken, while the Czech Republic reached 40.8°C and Denmark hit a provisional 37°C, breaking their historical records.
• The heatwave, caused by a persistent high-pressure "heat dome" and clear skies, has led to hundreds of heat-related deaths across Europe, including at least 55 drowning deaths in France and 327 heat-linked deaths in Spain.
• Experts warn the heatwave poses major health and ecosystem risks, with scientists noting such an intense early summer heatwave would have been nearly impossible 50 years ago due to climate change and Europe's status as the fastest-warming continent.
• Authorities have responded with measures such as police in Berlin using water cannons to cool people, highlighting the severity of the situation described by German politicians as a health crisis rather than typical summer weather.