A severe heatwave sweeping across large parts of Europe has triggered a partial alcohol ban in France, nationwide alerts in Germany, and the shutdown of a football fan zone in Spain, as temperatures edge toward record highs.
France was expected to place 35 of its 96 departments under red heatwave alerts on Sunday, with temperatures forecast to hit 39–40C (102–104F) stretching from the southwest through the Paris region into Burgundy, with some areas potentially reaching 41C.
Following a crisis meeting, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu pre-emptively banned alcohol consumption on Sunday at the annual Fete de la Musique festivals and other public events scheduled across those 35 regions.
Authorities in Paris, however, instructed that parks should remain open 24 hours.
In Germany, heat warnings were issued across most regions as temperatures neared 38C. The DWD weather service cautioned that the combination of heat and humidity could also trigger severe thunderstorms.
Across the Alps in Italy, temperatures of 36–37C have disrupted daily routines and tourism in several cities.
In Rome, tourists queued under intense sunshine outside the Colosseum, as the summer heat turned sightseeing into a test of endurance, while some visitors sought cooler refuge in underground spaces beneath the partially exposed ruins of the Temple of Claudius.
In Bologna, one of the hottest cities in the country, residents cooled off at the historic Fountain of Neptune and took shelter beneath the city’s shaded porticoes.
Meanwhile in Spain, football authorities closed a fan zone featuring giant screens at Madrid’s Plaza de Colon, forcing supporters to find alternative venues to watch Spain’s World Cup clash against Saudi Arabia.
Ironically, the match itself will be played in an air-conditioned stadium in Atlanta, partially powered by solar energy.
Scientists say climate change is driving more frequent and intense heatwaves across Europe, increasing the risk of health crises and economic disruption during the summer period.
The financial impact of extreme heat is also gaining attention.
Bank of France Governor Emmanuel Moulin said short-term effects on growth are “somewhat ambiguous”, citing bot
reduced productivity and increased energy use, but warned that over the medium term heatwaves weigh on economic activity.
