Heat wave claims 212 lives in Spain in 4 days

Extreme weather: Western Europe sees above 40°C 

The UK recorded its hottest June day so far, with 36.1°C reported at Gosport in southern England  while Spain set a record 43.7°C in the normally temperate Cantabria region.

London: Europe remained in the grip of an intense early-summer heat wave on Thursday, with Spain estimating 212 heat-related deaths in just four days and several countries breaking long-standing June temperature records.

Spain's MoMo mortality monitoring system linked 212 deaths between Sunday and Wednesday to the extreme heat. The country recorded its highest average June temperatures since at least 1950, with daily averages exceeding 28°C on Monday and Tuesday. Overnight temperatures also remained unusually high, creating “tropical nights” that increase health risks. Tempe­ratures topped 40°C even in normally cooler northern regions such as Cantabria and the Basque Country.

The heat wave, driven by hot air from north Africa, has spread across western Europe, pushing temperatures above 40°C in Spain and France before reaching the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands. Forecasters warned more records could fall before conditions ease.

High humidity has worsened the impact by preventing the body from cooling efficiently, particularly at night. The UK's Met Office recorded the country's highest June minimum temperature of 23.5°C at Bute Park, Cardiff, while Germany equalled its warmest recorded night after temperatures in Bad Bergza­bern did not fall below 26.2°C.

France has borne much of the heat, with three-quarters of the country under red alert until Friday. Météo-France said its national thermal indicator, based on readings from 30 weather stations, reached a record 30°C on Wednesday, with temperatures of up to 42°C forecast in some areas. 

The heat is expected to affect sport as well. Formula One has designated Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix a “heat hazard”, requiring drivers to carry additional cooling equipment if temperatures exceed 31°C.