Heatwave fatalities and infrastructure strain mark peak of European extreme weather
Record-breaking temperatures across France, Spain, and Italy have triggered a surge in heat-related deaths, forced the closure of a nuclear facility, and prompted emergency labour protections.
Forty people have drowned in France since last Thursday as a severe heatwave pushes temperatures to record levels, according to Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu. The fatalities, which include a 13-year-old girl in the River Seine and two young children found in a vehicle in Carpentras, underscore the lethal risks associated with unsupervised cooling efforts during extreme weather events. Sports and youth minister Marina Ferrari warned that the public is often underestimating the dangers of entering rivers and canals without adequate safety measures.
The intensity of the heat has already disrupted critical infrastructure, forcing the shutdown of the Golfech nuclear power plant in southwestern France on Monday night. The facility ceased operations after water temperatures in the River Garonne reached 28C, exceeding the legal limit for reactor cooling systems. This incident highlights the vulnerability of energy infrastructure to rising ambient temperatures, a concern that is becoming increasingly prevalent as summer heatwaves intensify across the continent.
France recorded its hottest June day and its hottest ever night on Monday, with a minimum average temperature of 21.6C. The extreme conditions have left well over half the country under red alert. Meanwhile, Spain is experiencing its third day of a national heatwave, with temperatures peaking above 40C in several areas. The state weather service, Aemet, reported that 101 of its 828 weather stations recorded temperatures at or above 40C on Monday, including a high of 45C in Andújar.
The frequency of these events is drawing attention from climatologists and government bodies. Aemet noted that June heatwaves are becoming significantly more common in Spain, with 10 recorded between 2000 and 2025 compared to just two in the previous 25 years. Spain is considered more exposed to the effects of climate change than almost any other European country, and officials warn that heatwaves are now occurring more frequently at the start of summer than in previous decades.
In response to the crisis, Italy has issued red heat alerts in 15 cities, including Rome and Milan, and revived emergency labour protections for outdoor workers. The measures allow companies to access state-backed furlough support if they halt operations due to dangerous heat, aiming to protect farm and construction staff from working during the hottest hours. The German Lifesaving Association also reported six fatal swimming incidents between Friday and Sunday, noting that men in particular were overestimating their abilities in the water.
