LONDON, U.K.: An unrelenting heatwave sweeping across Europe has pushed early summer temperatures to historic highs, triggering deadly consequences and widespread disruption from Spain to Switzerland.

At least eight people have died — including four in Spain, two in France, and two in Italy — as intense heat sparked wildfires, overwhelmed hospitals, and forced the shutdown of critical infrastructure, including a nuclear reactor in Switzerland, officials said on July 2.

Spanish authorities reported two fatalities from a wildfire in Catalonia, while other heat-related deaths occurred in Extremadura and Cordoba. In France, 300 people were hospitalized due to the extreme heat, and the Energy Minister confirmed two related deaths. Italy, which issued red alerts for 18 cities, reported two beach deaths in Sardinia involving men over 60, according to the ANSA news agency.

In Germany, forecasts showed temperatures could climb to 40°C (104°F) in some regions — the hottest day of the year — while Meteo France warned of ongoing red alerts across central France.

"In the coming days, we'll see the consequences, particularly on the most vulnerable, and I'm thinking particularly of the elderly," said France's Health and Families Minister Catherine Vautrin.

The heat also intensified wildfire risks in Turkey, where around 50,000 people had to be temporarily evacuated earlier this week. Officials said most fires have since been contained.

Authorities in Italy, France, and Germany warned of potential violent storms, citing unstable atmospheres due to excessive warming. One such storm caused mudslides in the French Alps, disrupting rail traffic between Paris and Milan.

Switzerland's Axpo suspended operations at one unit of the Beznau nuclear plant and reduced output at another due to high river water temperatures, which are critical for cooling systems.

The heat is also expected to hit Europe's economy, with Allianz Research estimating a slowdown of 0.5 percentage points in 2025. The report likened the financial toll of one day above 32°C to that of half a day of strikes.

Scientists say earlier and more extreme heatwaves are being fuelled by greenhouse gas emissions, warming oceans, and a persistent heat dome over Europe that traps hot air masses.

"Extreme heat is testing our resilience and putting the health and lives of millions at risk," said Inger Andersen, executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme.
"Our new climate reality means we can no longer be surprised when temperatures reach record highs each year."

The impact is already visible: Greggs in the UK warned of lower profits as hot weather kept customers away. In Germany, many schools shut early, people rushed to swimming pools and lakes, and firefighters battled multiple forest blazes in Brandenburg and Saxony.

Elsewhere, tourist landmarks also felt the heat. The upper floor of the Eiffel Tower was closed on July 1, and Brussels' Atomium shut early for the third time this week.

Spain saw its hottest June on record, while France experienced its hottest since 2003.