Europe Heatwave Kills 8, Closes Swiss Nuclear Reactor, Sparks Fires

An early summer heatwave sweeping across Europe has resulted in at least eight deaths, with fatalities reported in Spain, France, and Italy. The extreme heat has triggered widespread health alerts, forest fires—particularly a deadly wildfire in Catalonia, Spain—and infrastructure disruptions, including the shutdown of a nuclear reactor in Switzerland due to high river water temperatures. Temperatures peaked at 40 degrees Celsius in parts of Germany, marking the hottest day of the year, while Italy issued red alerts in 18 cities and France maintained red heat warnings in several central regions. The heatwave has especially endangered vulnerable populations such as the elderly, as emphasized by France's Health and Families Minister Catherine Vautrin. Additionally, unstable atmospheric conditions caused by the heat have led to violent storms and mudslides, disrupting rail traffic between Paris and Milan. Scientists attribute the increased intensity of heatwaves and storms to human-driven climate change, highlighting the growing risks to health, safety, and economic stability across the region.