Europe heatwave: UK records hottest June day, hundreds die in Spain

Europe is enduring a severe heatwave, with the UK recording its hottest June day ever on multiple days and Spain reporting at least 212 heat-related deaths. The UK Met Office confirmed temperatures reached 37.7°C in Norfolk on 26 June, breaking records set earlier that week Source: Infobae. Denmark also hit 37°C for the first time Source: La Jornada MX.

Record temperatures

The UK saw three consecutive days of record highs, with the red warning extended for the first time to three days Source: BBC. France experienced its hottest night ever, with Paris exceeding 40°C for only the fourth time in 150 years Source: CNN. Spain's AEMET reported Monday and Tuesday as the hottest June days on record, with national averages of 28.17°C and 28.08°C Source: El Colombiano.

Human cost

Spain's MoMo system attributed 212 deaths to the heat between Sunday and Wednesday Source: El Colombiano. In France, 48 drownings occurred as people sought to cool off, and three children died in hot cars Source: CNN. The UK reported six deaths, mostly drownings Source: Infobae. London Ambulance Service had its busiest day ever with 8,869 calls Source: La Jornada MX.

Infrastructure stress

Schools closed across England and Wales, and rail services were disrupted Source: Al Jazeera. The Atomium in Brussels closed due to indoor heat Source: Euronews. A wildfire in Derbyshire consumed 400 square metres Source: Clarín. UN climate chief Simon Stiell called it "the latest price to pay for fossil fuel pollution" Source: The Guardian.