European heatwave and health warnings: Severe temperatures near 40°C trigger red alerts, travel disruptions, and public health advisories across the continent.

A severe heatwave, driven by an 'African anticyclone' creating a heat dome, is gripping Europe with temperatures nearing 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). Italy, France, and Spain have issued red alerts for extreme heat in major cities, prompting health warnings for vulnerable populations and infrastructure strain. In France, the state railway operator SNCF cancelled dozens of trains and advised elderly and sick people to postpone travel, while Paris kept parks open overnight and set up misting stations. Germany also faces potential 40°C temperatures, as Chancellor Friedrich Merz commented on personal insults amid the heat. The heatwave has disrupted transport, outdoor events, and daily life, with 71 intercity trains cancelled in France alone. Meteorologists warn the heat dome could persist for days, raising concerns about early onset of extreme summer conditions. Authorities urge collective care for the elderly and isolated, while alcohol consumption in public spaces has been banned in French red-alert regions. Wildlife rescuers also report heat stress on nestlings. The event underscores the growing impact of climate change on European weather patterns.