Europe Heatwave Kills Thousands, Wildfires Rage

France recorded 5,764 excess deaths during its historic June heatwave, the highest toll since the deadly 2003 event, as temperatures soared past 40°C across the continent.

Wildfires raged in Sicily, southwestern France, and central Spain, killing three firefighters and forcing thousands of evacuations, with one blaze in Guadalajara burning over 32,000 hectares.

Scientists warned that human-caused climate change has intensified Europe's drought risk by making extreme heat, rather than low rainfall, the main driver of exceptionally dry conditions.

The heatwave has also strained water supplies, food production, and power generation, with rivers and soils gripped by severe drought across the region.