European infrastructure is struggling under an intense heatwave, with roads melting, tram tracks buckling and transport networks disrupted as record-breaking temperatures sweep across the continent, according to reports and videos shared online. The extreme weather has damaged highways, delayed trains, strained power grids and overwhelmed hospitals, while temperatures crossed 40 degrees Celsius in several countries.Record temperatures sweep across EuropeThe heatwave, which scorched western Europe earlier this week, spread into central and eastern Europe by the weekend, shattering temperature records across the continent.Denmark recorded its hottest day since records began in 1874, with temperatures reaching 37 degrees Celsius in Ødum, north of Aarhus. Switzerland registered a record 38.8 degrees Celsius in Basel, while the Czech Republic logged its hottest-ever temperature of 40.8 degrees Celsius in Doksany. In the UK, Friday became the hottest June day on record at 37.3 degrees Celsius, breaking a record that had stood since 1976.
Roads crack, rail travel disrupted
Germany’s transport network bore the brunt of the extreme heat. As temperatures approached 40 degrees Celsius, sections of the Autobahn were damaged after concrete slabs on the A2 motorway outside Berlin burst due to the heat, forcing road closures. Other highways also reported heat-related damage.In France, the heatwave has also strained critical infrastructure, with reports of melting roads, power outages and train delays disrupting daily life, according to France 24. State-owned electricity provider EDF said it had reduced output at some of its nuclear power plants because of the extreme temperatures affecting cooling operations, but added that it still has sufficient capacity to meet electricity demand.Rail operator Deutsche Bahn advised against all non-essential train travel over the weekend, warning that Germany’s transport infrastructure was being “severely affected” by the record-breaking temperatures.Elsewhere, videos shared online showed roads warping under the scorching heat, highlighting the growing strain on European infrastructure.
Hospitals overwhelmed, nursing home evacuated
The heatwave has also placed immense pressure on healthcare systems.In Germany, dozens of residents were evacuated from a nursing home in Dormagen after indoor temperatures reached 35 degrees Celsius. One resident died overnight, though authorities said it remains unclear whether the heat was responsible.France’s hospitals continued to face a surge in heat-related emergencies despite temperatures beginning to ease in some regions. Paris and 36 other regions remained under the highest heat alert on Saturday, with nearly 3,000 patients arriving at public hospital emergency departments for a second consecutive day—about one-third more than usual.The Paris public hospital authority activated emergency plans across all 38 hospitals as calls to medical dispatch centres jumped nearly 80% compared with the same period last year. Concerns over hospital capacity also forced the postponement of the Paris Pride march and the cancellation of a three-day music festival.
Italy, UK remain on alert
Italy kept red heat alerts in place for 18 cities, including Rome, Venice, Florence, Bologna and Milan, as tourists sought relief in fountains and shaded streets while vendors sold bottled water, hats and umbrellas.In the UK, although temperatures were expected to ease over the weekend, amber heat warnings remained in force. Police recovered the bodies of a 22-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy from a river and a lake on Saturday, bringing the week’s heat-related death toll in the country to four, news agency AP reported. Authorities have urged people to avoid swimming in unsupervised waters.
