Germany, Poland, and Czechia record hottest temperatures as Europe reels with intense heatwaves

As the continent of Europe grapples with intense heatwaves, Germany, Czechia, Poland and Hungary reached a record temperature of more than 40 °C on Sunday. The dramatic heatwaves that have already been linked to hundreds of deaths in western Europe are now spreading east.

More than 191 million people in Europe are now witnessing temperatures of at least 35 °C, with extreme heat warnings across the region. Germany on Sunday recorded a new all-time high temperature of 41 °C in Coschen, located near the Polish border in eastern Brandenburg.

According to the preliminary data of the national weather service, the Sunday temperature broke the previous record of 41.5 °C set a day earlier in Drewitz. Amid the heatwaves in Gohrischheide, in eastern Germany, a fire broke out in a forest contaminated with ammunition from the Second World War. The high temperature further complicated the firefighters’ efforts.

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Apart from this, a major firefighting operation was also paused at a former munitions disposal site near the village of Traisen in south-west Germany. According to the German news agency DPA, the firefighters had to briefly pause after explosions were triggered, and a bomb disposal unit was brought in. At least 650 people in Traisen had to evacuate their homes due to the fire.

Europe's east faces intense heatwaves

Meanwhile, Poland also surpassed its all-time heat record with temperatures reaching 40.5 °C in Słubice, on the Polish-German border. With this, the country has managed to break a 105-year record of 40.2 °C, set in 1921.

In light of this, the Polish government's security agency sent out text messages urging people to “avoid the sun and strenuous activity”, drink water and wear hats throughout the weekend. Multiple cities set up water curtains to help residents keep cool in the heat.

Hungary broke its all-time high record on Sunday after it recorded 40.7 °C in Budakalász, higher than Saturday’s 40.0 °C. Czechia also reported a new all-time high of 41.9 °C in Doksany, confirmed by its hydrometeorological institute on early Sunday afternoon. “Temperatures continue to rise; this is not the final maximum,” it said in a statement.

Situation continued to remain worse in Slovakia, 39.3 °C was reported in Mužla, in the south-west of the country. On Saturday, Denmark registered its highest temperature since measurements began in 1874, with 36.6 °C north of Odense. Meanwhile, France has been reeling from the deaths caused by dramatic heatwaves in the country.

On Sunday, the French national public health agency said that between 24 and 27 June, 1,000 additional deaths were recorded compared with figures in previous months. These figures were provisional and were expected to rise significantly.

The sharpest increase in deaths in the country is related to people dying at home, particularly in the Île-de-France region, which includes Paris and its suburbs. Not only this, but the majority of deaths were among people over 65, but younger people were also affected.

“This serves as a reminder of the need for measures of solidarity towards people who are isolated or experiencing profound loneliness, including in highly urbanised areas,” the health agency said in a statement. Overall, Europe is witnessing an unprecedented situation as they navigate the heatwaves across the continent.