Europe “bakes” under extreme heat, Britain and Switzerland on alert, France shuts down nuclear reactors

Europe is facing a severe heatwave that has broken historic temperature records and placed authorities in several countries on alert. The United Kingdom, Switzerland, France, and Belgium are among the most affected, with extreme temperatures causing visible impacts on health systems and infrastructure.

In the United Kingdom, temperatures reached 36.4°C in Yeovilton, Somerset, marking the hottest June day ever recorded. Meteorologists say temperatures are expected to rise further in the coming days.

New records have also been set in Switzerland, where the thermometer reached 38°C in Basel, the highest temperature ever recorded for the month of June.

The situation remains critical in France, where temperatures in some regions have reached 40°C. More than 44 million residents have been placed under maximum heat alerts. Due to the extreme heat, French authorities have temporarily shut down two nuclear reactors to prevent river water temperatures from rising further and damaging aquatic ecosystems.

The impact of the heatwave has also been strongly felt in the healthcare system. The ambulance service in London has reported the highest number of emergency cases in its history, with hundreds of interventions involving patients suffering from dehydration, heatstroke, breathing problems, and cardiac arrest.

In several hospitals across England, critical incidents have been declared, as high temperatures have caused serious issues with medical equipment, IT systems, and cooling units.

Experts warn that this extreme heatwave is directly linked to climate change, which is making extreme temperatures increasingly frequent and more intense across Europe. Authorities are urging citizens to avoid sun exposure during peak hours, drink plenty of fluids, and take special care of vulnerable groups.

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