European Heat Wave Kills More Than 1,300 People

JAKARTA - The World Health Organization (WHO) said more than 1,300 people died from an extreme heat wave that hit Europe since June 21.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in his post on the X platform said that more than 1,300 additional deaths due to extreme heat have been recorded since June 21.

The WHO secretary-general said that about one million people are currently exposed to extreme temperatures. The situation has also caused hundreds of deaths, school closures, and the power grid is very stressed.

As reported by ANTARA from WAFA, Monday, June 29, a number of European countries recorded record temperatures, including Denmark (37°C for the first time since 1874), the Czech Republic (above 40°C for the first time, namely 40.6°C), and Germany (record high temperature of 41.5°C, with a night temperature of 39.5°C).

As the heat wave moves towards northeastern Europe, the governments of France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Hungary have announced the highest state of alert due to the hot weather.

The WHO notes that extreme heat can cause death from drowning, heat stroke, heart attack, and other complications.