A relentless heatwave continued to grip Europe on Saturday, pushing temperatures to record levels, disrupting daily life, and forcing authorities to impose emergency restrictions as health services struggled to cope with rising demand.
Paris banned drinking alcohol in public throughout the weekend, while the city’s Pride March was postponed because of the extreme heat. Authorities also announced that the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum would continue closing early to protect visitors and staff as temperatures in the French capital climbed to 39 degrees Celsius.
The heat prompted thousands of residents and tourists to seek relief in parks, canals, and fountains across Paris. However, officials warned that the soaring temperatures also increased the risk of fatal accidents.
Emmanuel Grégoire, the mayor of Paris, said a man drowned in the Canal Saint Martin on Friday night and urged people to avoid swimming outside supervised areas or beyond designated opening hours.
France remained on high alert as 37 departments stayed under the country’s highest red heat warning on Saturday. Météo France said the number would fall to 24 on Sunday, although dangerous conditions would persist. The country also recorded its hottest day on record on Wednesday, with the national average temperature reaching 30 degrees Celsius.
Germany and UK Break Temperature Records
The extreme heat extended well beyond France.
Germany remained under widespread heat warnings, with the western city of Saarbrücken recording 41.3 degrees Celsius on Friday, the country’s highest temperature on record. Uwe Baumgarten of the German Weather Service told AFP that the record “could be surpassed on Saturday” as another exceptionally hot day unfolded.
In the United Kingdom, the Met Office confirmed that the village of Santon Downham in Suffolk reached 37.3 degrees Celsius, making it the hottest June day ever recorded in the country. Eastern and southeastern England remained under an amber heat warning as officials urged people to stay hydrated and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities.
Read More: Pakistan on Heatwave Alert as Karachi Hits 44°C, 10 Dead
Spain also continued to endure intense temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in several regions. Spain’s national weather agency said conditions would remain “warmer than normal” into next week, particularly across western, central, and southern parts of the mainland.
Scientists have repeatedly warned that human driven climate change is making heatwaves more frequent, longer lasting, and more intense across Europe. Meteorologists said a persistent high pressure system has trapped hot air over much of the continent, delaying any meaningful cooling.
Emergency authorities across Europe have responded by cancelling public events, restricting alcohol consumption, shortening sporting competitions, and issuing health alerts as hospitals face increasing numbers of heat related emergencies.
The restrictions in Paris reflect growing concern that extreme weather is no longer an occasional event but a recurring public safety challenge. Officials continue to urge residents and visitors to limit outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours, drink plenty of water, and closely follow official weather advisories until temperatures begin to ease.
