Europe is the planet's fastest-warming continent: WHO, roads melt

Europe is witnessing one of its most severe heatwaves, with soaring temperatures not only breaking records but also disrupting everyday life in extraordinary ways. From tram tracks warping under extreme heat to shoes, chocolates and even shopping carts melting in the sun, the continent is experiencing conditions that many experts describe as unprecedented.
The relentless heat has also led to rising deaths, overwhelmed hospitals, strained funeral services and growing pressure on electricity networks, highlighting the human cost of the ongoing climate emergency.
As temperatures climbed well above 40 degrees Celsius in several European countries, social media was flooded with videos showing just how intense the heat has become.France has emerged as one of the worst-hit countries during the ongoing heatwave.French health authorities reported around 1,000 more deaths than would normally be expected during this period of the year since the latest heatwave began. The surge has placed funeral services under significant strain.
The heat has begun damaging public infrastructure across parts of Europe. In Germany, local reports showed tram tracks in Leipzig becoming distorted due to soaring temperatures. The metal rails reportedly expanded and warped, forcing authorities to suspend tram operations over the weekend to ensure passenger safety. Several countries recorded exceptionally high temperatures over the weekend. Among the highest readings were: Czech Republic: 41.9°C, Germany 41.7°C and Poland 40.5°C Such temperatures, once considered rare across much of Europe, are becoming increasingly common during the summer months.

Europe is in the grip of a historic heatwave

- WHO links 1,300+ excess deaths to the extreme heat since 21 June

- Germany hit 41.7°C, Poland 40.5°C, and the Czech Republic 41.1°C

- France alone has reported around 1,000 excess deaths#Europe #heatwave #Germany pic.twitter.com/V1mBrC824Q

— GlobeUpdate (@Globupdate) June 29, 2026

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Saturday that Europe is the “fastest-warming continent on Earth” and is heating at twice the global average. "Right now 150 million people are living under extreme heat, hundreds have died, schools are shut, grids are buckling,” he said. He added that over 1,300 excess deaths have been recorded since 21 June linked to high temperatures in Europe. “Heat stress is often called the “silent killer” – and European homes, workplaces and schools were not built for these temperatures,” he wrote on X.
The extreme weather is also adding fresh pressure on Ukraine, whose energy infrastructure has already been heavily damaged during the ongoing war with Russia. Authorities in the western Rivne region ordered emergency power cuts to reduce stress on the electricity grid as demand surged during the heatwave.