It's so hot in Germany the Autobahn literally burst open at the seams and had to be closed down
Key Points:
- Germany experienced record-breaking heat with temperatures hitting 40°C (104°F), causing damage to the Autobahn and prompting travel advisories from Deutsche Bahn against nonessential train travel.
- In France, hospitals faced intense pressure due to heat-related emergencies amid a red alert for extreme heat affecting three-quarters of the country, with emergency departments seeing a significant increase in patients, especially elderly individuals.
- The UK recorded its hottest June day on record at 37.3°C (99°F), breaking a decades-old record, while authorities issued warnings about swimming safety following heat-related fatalities.
- Italy’s capital Rome remained under a red heat alert, with tourists seeking relief through traditional foods and hydration as multiple cities were on high alert due to the heatwave.
- A scientific study linked the unprecedented heatwave in Europe to climate change, emphasizing that such extreme temperatures would have been nearly impossible without it, reinforcing calls for urgent climate action.