Europe braces for 40°C-plus as heatwave moves east

Poland: 40.2°C national record under threat 

Czechia: Temps to top 41°C after new record heat

First in Slovakia: 3 straight days of 40°C likely 

France: Provisional toll crosses 1,000 excess deaths

Germany endured record-hot nights, prompting rail travel curbs and water cannon deployment in Berlin, while Spain reported 327 heat-linked deaths. Denmark recorded its hottest day since 1874, and violent storms in Belgium killed one person after a tree fell on a vehicle.

A deadly heatwave continued to sweep across Europe on Sunday, with Poland, Czechia and Slovakia bracing for temperatures over 40°C as the extreme weather shifted east after claiming over 1,000 lives in France and over 327 in Spain.

Over 191 million people across Europe faced temperatures of at least 35°C. Poland's 40.2°C national record, set in 1921, was under threat as authorities urged residents to avoid the sun, stay hydrated and limit outdoor activity.

Czechia forecast temperatures above 41°C after setting a record of 40.6°C on Saturday, while Slovakia expected to challenge its 40.3°C record and could witness three consecutive days above 40°C for the first time since records began in 1871.

Germany recorded exceptionally warm nights, with Berlin police using water cannon to cool residents and Deutsche Bahn advising against non-essential travel. Denmark registered its highest temperature since records began in 1874.

France’s health agency reported 1,000 excess deaths between June 24 and 27, mostly among people over 65. In Spain, preliminary figures linked over 327 deaths to the heat. Violent storms also battered northern France and Belgium, where a falling tree killed one person near Brussels.

—Agencies