Madrid (EFE).- A brutal heatwave that has scorched large parts of southern and central Europe in recent days is beginning to subside, though alerts remain in place across multiple countries as extreme temperatures continue to claim lives.
Authorities in France, Italy, and Spain have reported at least nine heat-related deaths. The French government confirmed two fatalities and said emergency services responded to over 300 calls related to the heat.
While cooler weather is beginning to reach France’s northwest, the central region remains under a red alert, with temperatures forecast to reach 39°C (102,2°F).
In Paris, authorities declared an orange alert, with highs of 34°C (93,2°F) and a risk of violent thunderstorms expected by evening.
Italy: New workplace safety measures amid heat deaths
In Italy, where hospital emergency rooms have been overwhelmed since Tuesday, the government signed a new protocol on Wednesday with labor unions and employers to mitigate climate-related workplace risks.
The measures include new training, updated work schedules, and protective clothing.
The country is experiencing widespread 40°C (104°F) temperatures, with at least three deaths reported on Wednesday alone.
Two men died on beaches in Sardinia, a 75-year-old in Budoni and a 60-year-old who collapsed while snorkeling in San Teodoro.
In Genoa, an 85-year-old man with underlying health conditions died of heart failure linked to dehydration, local media reported.
Authorities are also investigating the death of a 70-year-old truck driver found in his vehicle and the case of a 53-year-old woman who collapsed on a Palermo street on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, a construction worker is in a coma after fainting on the job, and another died Monday while working on a school building.
Spain and Germany face relentless heat
In Spain, 11 regions remain under alert for extreme heat, with seven under orange warnings, including Madrid.
Temperatures reached up to 43°C (109,4°F) in parts of Andalusia, and the heat is expected to continue through Thursday. Relief is forecast over the weekend in the north, with the arrival of a cooler weather front.
Two recent deaths have been linked to the heat: In Barcelona, a municipal cleaner died Saturday night after working her shift during peak temperatures.
On Tuesday, a 2.5-year-old boy died in Valls (Tarragona) after being left inside a car for nearly four hours. Authorities suspect heatstroke as the cause.
Germany, meanwhile, is bracing for its hottest day of the year, with some regions expecting highs of 40°C (104°F), especially in the west and southwest.
On Tuesday, Bavaria recorded 37.8°C (100°F), the highest so far in 2024, and new records may be set on Wednesday.
In Berlin, officials have encouraged residents and tourists to shelter in metro stations, such as the Brandenburger Tor stop, which lies 55.8 feet underground. Churches have also opened their doors to provide relief, especially for the homeless.
The German Meteorological Service expects a gradual temperature drop starting Thursday, with highs falling to between 20–26°C (68-78.8°F) in the northwest and 25–32°C (77-89.6°F) in the southeast.
The Western Balkans are also feeling the impact. In North Macedonia, temperatures are expected to hit 42°C (107.6°F) in the coming days.
Local news outlets have dubbed the heatwave “the Spanish wave” due to its origin. EFE
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