Europe braces for new heatwave as temperatures climb to 44°C

Spain’s state meteorological agency, Aemet, said that a mass of dry and extremely hot air will spread across much of the country from Saturday, bringing prolonged high temperatures. In parts of southeastern Spain, temperatures of between 42°C and 44°C are forecast for Tuesday.

“Temperatures will begin to rise over the weekend, and we cannot rule out another heatwave,” Aemet spokesperson Rubén del Campo said.

The agency warned that the high temperatures expected next week could further increase the risk of wildfires. Elderly people and those with cardiovascular conditions have been advised to take extra precautions during the hottest part of the day.

Tanjug/AP/Andrea Comas (STR)

According to Aemet, June this year was the second-hottest June on record, surpassed only by June 2025, with an average temperature 3.2°C above the seasonal norm.

Around 1,000 deaths reported in each country

Preliminary data indicate that extreme heat claimed the lives of around 1,000 people in both Spain and France during June.

According to Spain’s Mortality Monitoring System (MoMo), 1,029 excess deaths linked to high temperatures were recorded in June.

Tanjug/AP/Christophe Ena (STF)

France’s public health agency said that the 10-day heatwave at the end of June caused around 1,000 excess deaths between June 24 and 28, although the final figures have not yet been released.

Nicolas Revel, head of the hospitals in the Paris region, said he does not expect the death toll to reach the 15,000 fatalities recorded during the catastrophic 2003 heatwave.

French Minister for Sports and Youth Marie Barsacq said that more than 90 people have drowned since June 19.

“That is a worrying figure. We have seen a decline in recent days, which clearly shows that this trend is linked to the heatwave, when people seek relief by going into the water,” she said.

Extreme temperatures parch southern France

Extreme heat has further dried out southern France, where firefighters are battling several major wildfires fueled by strong winds.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said that three major wildfires, two of which broke out on the western outskirts of Marseille, have burned more than 1,210 hectares in total.