Heat Wave Damages German Highways and Prompts Train Cancellations

German authorities reported damage to highways and train cancellations on Saturday as a heat wave that affected western European countries earlier in the week moved into central and eastern regions. With temperatures in Germany expected to reach 40 C, sections of the A2 highway outside Berlin buckled, forcing closures.

Additional highway damage was reported elsewhere in the country, according to German daily Bild.

Train operator Deutsche Bahn and other rail companies advised against all nonessential travel on long-distance and regional trains this weekend. "Germany's transportation infrastructure is being severely affected by the record-breaking heat this weekend," Deutsche Bahn said in a statement.

In the western city of Dormagen, dozens of nursing home residents were evacuated for medical care after indoor temperatures reached 35 C. A resident at the home died overnight, though officials said it was not yet clear whether heat was a factor.

In France, temperatures eased in some areas but hospitals remained under pressure from heat-related emergencies. The Paris public hospital authority activated its emergency response plan across all 38 hospitals after treating nearly 3,000 patients in the past 24 hours, a third more than normal.

Three-quarters of France was placed under red alert for extreme heat on Thursday and Friday. Officials postponed the Paris Pride march and canceled a three-day music festival due to concerns about hospital capacity. In the U.K., an amber heat warning remained in place until Saturday night after three consecutive record June temperatures, including a provisional 37.3 C reading on Friday.