Europe Heatwave Closes 1,900 Schools, Shuts Monuments, Halts Outdoor Work

A record-breaking early summer heatwave is sweeping across Europe, causing widespread disruptions and health alerts. In France, over 1,300 schools were closed and the top floor of the Eiffel Tower was shut to tourists as temperatures soared to 40ºC–41ºC in some regions, with 16 departments under the highest alert. The Mediterranean Sea also hit a record June temperature of 30ºC, impacting marine ecosystems. Italy has imposed bans on outdoor work during peak heat hours across 13 regions following heat-related deaths, including a construction worker near Bologna. Spain is investigating heat as a possible cause in recent deaths, and authorities across Europe are warning vulnerable populations about the risks of extreme heat, exacerbated by climate change which has nearly doubled Europe's warming rate compared to the global average. Farmers are adjusting harvest times to avoid fires and heat stress, while cities from Paris to Belgium, Switzerland, and Germany remain on high alert.