A severe heatwave gripping Europe triggered deadly wildfires, killing two in Spain and two in France, while forcing a Swiss nuclear reactor shutdown. With temperatures soaring to 39°C, red alerts were issued across Italy, and storms loom.
In Spain’s Catalonia region, a wildfire in Torrefeta claimed two lives on July 1, destroying farms across 40 km. The blaze, fueled by strong winds and storms, was largely contained by July 2, though further storms were expected. In Barcelona, authorities investigate a street sweeper’s death for heat-related causes. In France, Energy Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher reported two heatwave-related deaths, with 300 hospitalised. Météo France noted temperatures up to 39°C in central regions, with thunderstorms forecast in the east.
Europe heatwave crisis: Wildfires, record temps & animals struggle to stay cool
Watch: https://t.co/I6Jnf4JUTV | #EuropeHeatwave #ClimateCrisis #Wildfires #ClimateChange #ExtremeWeather pic.twitter.com/v6o7RKAStO
— Business Today (@business_today) July 2, 2025Italy issued red alerts for 18 cities, including Rome and Florence, where temperatures hit 39°C. Storms threaten the Apennine mountains, Sardinia, and Sicily. In Switzerland, Axpo halved the output at one Beznau nuclear reactor and shut another due to overheated river water used for cooling, with restrictions still in place. These events highlight the heatwave’s strain on infrastructure and public safety across Europe.
A #heatwave grips Europe, with Germany bracing for temperatures near 40°C and Turkiye battling wildfires. #climate pic.twitter.com/aUCb1jACj6
— China Daily (@ChinaDaily) July 1, 2025Spain’s hottest June on record and France’s warmest since 2003 underscore the intensity of the heatwave, driven by climate change. Scientists, according to IPCC reports, attribute rising temperatures to greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel use, deforestation, and industrial practices. The early onset of this “exceptional” heatwave, following 2024 as the planet’s hottest year, amplifies concerns about escalating climate impacts on Europe’s ecosystems and economies.
