Algerian Radio
The exceptional heatwave that has been striking Europe for over a week continues to move toward the center and east of the continent, where several historic temperature records have been broken. Meanwhile, the human toll is rising, with more than 1,300 heatwave-related deaths recorded since June 21, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
After hitting the Iberian Peninsula, France, and Italy, the scorching air mass is now notably affecting Germany, Poland, Czechia, and Slovakia, where another day of extreme heat was expected on Sunday.
"More than 1,300 additional deaths have been recorded since June 21 in connection with the high temperatures in Europe," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated on social media on Sunday.
"At present, 150 million people are living under extreme heat, hundreds of people have died, schools are closed, and power grids are being severely strained," he added.
Historic records continued to fall on Saturday: Denmark has never been this hot since weather records began in 1874, with temperatures rising to 37°C.
On Sunday, many countries broke new records, including Czechia (41.1°C measured in Doksany, north of Prague), Poland (40.5°C), and Germany (41.7°C).
In this context, police in Berlin once again used water cannons to help residents cool off, while several countries have multiplied health recommendations, opened air-conditioned centers, and limited certain outdoor activities. Infrastructure remains under pressure, with disruptions reported in transport and on power grids.
Forecasters expect a gradual improvement in Western Europe but warn that the heat will continue to spread to the Balkans and parts of Eastern Europe early next week.
Indeed, the Balkans have in turn been struck by the heatwave since Saturday, with the entire Croatian Adriatic coast placed on red alert.
With 39°C expected starting Sunday in certain regions of Serbia, North Macedonia, Bosnia, and Montenegro, according to various national meteorological institutes, the region is expected to swelter until at least Monday.
Climatologists point out that the multiplication and intensification of heatwaves constitute one of the most visible manifestations of human-induced climate change.
