A relentless heatwave continues to grip much of Europe this weekend, with record-breaking temperatures prompting emergency measures from Paris to Saarbrücken. In France, the capital has banned public alcohol consumption through the weekend, while the city's annual Pride March—originally scheduled for Saturday—has been postponed due to the extreme heat. The Eiffel Tower and the Louvre museum are also closing early.
Paris has seen temperatures reach 39°C, driving locals and tourists alike to seek relief along the Canal Saint-Martin and in the city's parks. Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire warned of the dangers after a man drowned in the canal on Friday night, urging people to swim only in supervised areas and during designated hours.
According to Météo-France, 37 departments remain under a red heat alert on Saturday, dropping to 24 on Sunday. France recorded its hottest-ever day on Wednesday, with the average 24-hour temperature hitting 30°C. The heatwave has also strained river ecosystems, leading to reduced nuclear output as cooling water temperatures rise.
Germany and the UK Hit New Highs
Germany is also enduring extreme conditions. The western city of Saarbrücken recorded what is believed to be the country's highest temperature ever on Friday, at 41.3°C. Uwe Baumgarten of the German Weather Service told AFP that this could be surpassed on Saturday. Much of the country remains under heat warnings.
In the United Kingdom, the Met Office reported that Friday was the hottest June day on record, with provisional figures showing the village of Santon Downham in Suffolk reaching 37.3°C. Parts of eastern and southeast England remain under an amber heat warning on Saturday.
Spain has also been hit hard, with temperatures topping 40°C in some areas. The country has already recorded 327 heat-related deaths in under a week, highlighting the deadly toll of the prolonged heatwave.
Across the continent, emergency services are stretched as callouts surge. In Paris, outreach teams are working to protect the homeless, as reported in Marseille, where similar efforts are underway. Vets are also seeing a rise in pet heatstroke cases, as noted in Paris.
The heatwave is expected to persist into next week, with little relief in sight. Authorities across Europe are urging caution, especially for vulnerable populations, as the continent grapples with the effects of climate change.
