Heatwave Hits Western and Central Europe With 40C Temperatures

A severe heatwave pushed temperatures close to 40 degrees Celsius across much of western and central Europe on June 21, triggering red alerts, transport disruptions, and wildfire evacuations. Italian authorities issued red alerts for eight cities including Bologna, Florence, Milan, and Turin after several days above 35C.

In Rome, pilgrims in St Peter's Square used parasols and umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun. Spain's AEMET weather agency warned of temperatures exceeding 39 to 40C across large parts of the Iberian Peninsula and Mallorca, with the heatwave expected to last at least until midweek.

France's rail operator SNCF cancelled 71 intercity trains until Monday on key routes after high temperatures threatened overhead power lines and track expansion. SNCF chief Jean Castex said 3,500 staff had been mobilised to monitor the network and 2,000 more would conduct emergency repairs.

In Germany, temperatures reached 38C and the DWD weather service warned of severe thunderstorms in eastern regions including Berlin, where heavy rain disrupted an open-air music festival and forced evacuation of spectators at a tennis tournament.

Greek authorities ordered the evacuation of two settlements on Evia Island on Saturday after a major wildfire broke out. The country's firefighting department deployed 88 firefighters and volunteers along with eight aircraft and six helicopters to contain the blaze amid strong northerly winds.

A wildlife centre near the Belgian city of Namur reported taking in around 150 heat-stressed animals in recent days, with young birds particularly affected. CREAVES founder Romain De Jaegere said centres across Belgium were overwhelmed as nestlings jumped from nests to escape lethal heat.

Meteorologists attributed the heat surge to a mass of hot air moving north from the Sahara, trapped by a strong high-pressure system known as the African anticyclone that has created a heat dome over the region.