30/06/2026 03:52 - Internacionales
A historic heatwave that began on June 21, 2026 is causing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Europe. Morgues and funeral homes in Paris are overwhelmed as the continent records more than 1,300 heat-related deaths.
According to official reports, France reports approximately 1,000 additional deaths between June 24 and 27, with an 85% of victims over 65 years old. Meanwhile, Spain exceeds 320 deaths related to extreme heat.
191 million
people experiencing temperatures above 35°C (95°F)
150 million
under extreme heat conditions
Nearly half of the 854 European cities monitored exceeded their historical thermal stress records.
Germany broke historical temperature records for three consecutive days: 41.3°C (106.3°F) on June 26, 41.5°C (106.7°F) on June 27, and 41.7°C (107.1°F) on June 28. This pattern demonstrates the intensity and persistence of the climate phenomenon affecting the entire continent.
Parisian authorities implemented exceptional measures to address the crisis:
According to a study by World Weather Attribution, this heatwave is 200 times more likely than 20 years ago and would have been virtually impossible five decades ago without climate change.
The WHO warns that heat stress is a "silent killer", and that European infrastructure is not prepared for these temperatures. Europe is warming at a rate of 0.56°C per decade, double the global average.
The year 2024 was the hottest in history, and 2026 continues this concerning trend that especially puts older adults and people with preexisting conditions at risk.
In Germany, fires are complicated by the presence of unexploded World War II ammunition that explodes with heat. Additionally, more than 1,000 lightning strikes were recorded in Denmark and Sweden during the phenomenon.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
