A deadly European heatwave has overwhelmed hospitals as temperatures soared to record highs, with the extreme weather set to shift east, bringing more misery to a continent not accustomed to such punishing heat. At least 101 million Europeans have experienced temperatures over 35°C for several days, resulting in an estimated few hundred deaths, including children, many of whom drowned while seeking relief from the heat.
Impact on Healthcare Systems
French hospitals, in particular, are reaching a saturation point. Paris police chief Patrice Faure stated, 'The number of hospitalisations keeps increasing.' France has seen a fourfold increase in emergency room visits for heat-related reasons and a surge in cardiac arrests. Similarly, the London Ambulance Service reported the highest number of life-threatening emergency calls in a day due to the extreme heat.
Climate Change Link
Scientists have unequivocally linked the heatwave to human-caused climate change. A study released on Friday concluded that such exceptional temperatures would have been virtually impossible fifty years ago. The UN's climate chief, Simon Stiell, emphasized that the heatwave bears the 'fingerprints of the climate crisis.'
Public Measures and Alerts
In response to the crisis, French authorities banned evening alcohol sales and public consumption in Paris. Eastern Europe is on red alert as temperatures are expected to climb. Germany, anticipating temperatures to hit 40°C through the weekend, has cancelled several outdoor events and advised against travel.
Fatalities and Public Response
The heatwave has led to numerous fatalities. A three-year-old boy was found dead in a car in the suburbs of Paris, and at least 40 people have drowned in France. In Spain, the MoMo monitoring system reported 212 heat-related deaths between Sunday and Wednesday. Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported five deaths, including two farmworkers and a builder.
Expert Opinions
Samantha Burgess, deputy director of the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service, attributed the hot weather to a 'heat dome' of trapped air from north Africa. Polly Turton, head of climate action at NGO Shade the UK, described the situation as 'the new normal,' emphasizing the need for adaptation to the changing climate.
