PARIS: A deadly heatwave that has overwhelmed hospitals across western Europe is shifting east, with authorities warning of more severe conditions as temperatures continue to climb.
At least 101 million Europeans have endured several days of temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius, while hundreds of deaths are feared across the continent. Many victims died while trying to cool off in rivers, lakes and pools.
French and British health services reported a sharp rise in emergency calls and hospital visits as the heat hit elderly people, children and those with existing health conditions.
“We are reaching a saturation point in hospital facilities,” Paris police chief Patrice Faure said, adding that hospitalisations were still rising.
France recorded a fourfold increase in emergency room visits linked to heat and a surge in cardiac arrests. In London, ambulance services said extreme heat produced the highest number of life-threatening emergency calls in a single day.
Authorities in Paris banned evening alcohol sales and public drinking from Friday through the weekend to reduce health and public safety risks.
Climate change warning
Scientists said human-caused climate change was “unequivocally” responsible for the intensity of the heatwave, which broke records in Britain, France, Spain and Switzerland. The Netherlands also issued its first-ever red alert for heat.
A new study found that such extreme June temperatures would have been “virtually impossible” 50 years ago.
As western Europe expects some relief, Germany and parts of eastern Europe remain on red alert, with temperatures forecast to approach 40 degrees Celsius.
