In Europe on Thursday, at least 101 million people are expected to face temperatures above 35°C amid an ongoing heatwave, according to AFP estimates, reports UNN.
Scientists have proven that periodic heatwaves are a clear marker of global warming and warn that they will become more frequent, longer, and more intense.
France shuts down nuclear reactors
French electricity company EDF said two more nuclear reactors were shut down to cope with the extreme heat, bringing the total number of operational reactors to three, as rivers become too hot to cool the stations.
Switzerland said it is reducing operations at its Beznau plant and will shut down reactors if the heat persists, also stating that the river water used for cooling is now too hot.
Another child dies in France
A three-year-old child was found dead in a car in the Paris area, a police source said. This is the third child to die in similar circumstances during the extreme weather this week.
Parents found the boy in "a car near their home," the source said. Civil defense reported that the death occurred in a Paris suburb.
Dozens of heat-related deaths in Spain
The heatwave may be linked to 212 deaths in Spain between Sunday and Wednesday, according to estimates from the MoMo monitoring system, which collects daily death statistics and compares them with historical data.
101 million people face temperatures above 35°C
At least 101 million people in Europe are expected to experience temperatures above 35°C on Thursday, including 50 million in France and 18 million in Germany,
UN blames fossil fuel pollution
The heatwave is "another cost of fossil fuel pollution that is scorching our planet," said UN climate chief Simon Stiell.
"Until humanity stops burning massive amounts of coal, oil, and gas, extreme heat will continue to intensify," Stiell said.
France to begin easing warnings
France will begin lifting its red warnings from Thursday evening, the country's meteorological service Meteo France said.
"On Friday, after stormy conditions on Thursday evening, a gradual decrease in temperatures along the Atlantic coast is beginning to emerge," the agency added.
Paris mayor warns of rising mortality
Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire said the French capital is experiencing an "increase in mortality" due to the heat, without providing exact figures.
He said that "practically all our indicators are in critical condition," including calls to emergency medical services, calls to fire brigades, emergency room admissions, and deaths, he told local television.
Three "probable" heat-related deaths in France
Three deaths in the northern French region of Pas-de-Calais were "probably" caused by the heat, local authorities said.
Among them were an elderly man who worked outdoors and two people who died indoors and had "other illnesses," the statement said.
Protest in Brussels
About 20 activists on Wednesday entered a pool in a Brussels park to protest the lack of designated outdoor swimming spots in the Belgian capital, calling it an anomaly amid the heatwave.
Hottest day in the UK
On Wednesday, the UK recorded its highest-ever June temperature, with the mercury rising to 36.1°C in southern England, breaking the previous record of 35.6°C set in 1976.
This is the second consecutive month the UK has broken historical temperature records, as scientists warn that climate change is making extreme weather events such as heatwaves more frequent and intense.
The country's meteorological service, The Guardian notes, extended the red extreme heat warning until Friday, with temperatures reaching 38°C in eastern and southeastern England.
In Germany, passengers allowed to cancel planned rail trips
In Germany, rail operator Deutsche Bahn (DB), The Guardian notes, offered passengers who booked tickets for this weekend the option to cancel their ticket for free.
France breaks record for hottest night
Meanwhile, according to the national meteorological agency, France had its hottest night from Wednesday to Thursday since records began in 1947, breaking a record set earlier this week.
In Britain, one region imposes a temporary ban on garden hoses
In the UK, South East Water announced a temporary ban on garden hoses in the county of Kent due to the growing strain caused by the heat (31°C today, 33°C tomorrow).
Five deaths recorded in 24 hours in Italy
The latest heatwave in Italy claimed five lives in less than 24 hours, with temperatures rising to 41°C across most of the country.
The extreme heat also triggered strain on Italy's power grid. According to RAI, repeated power outages disrupted air conditioning systems in several major cities, including the Uffizi Gallery in Florence on Wednesday. Museum management was forced to limit visitor numbers and temporarily suspend ticket sales as cooling systems struggled to cope with the demand.
Temperatures in Germany to rise above 40°C this week
On Thursday, the heatwave that has enveloped Europe peaked in Germany. Several outdoor events were canceled, and temperatures are expected to exceed 40°C by the weekend, reports AFP.