Over 120 million people across 18 European countries are caught in a heat wave, with record-breaking temperatures exceeding 113 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas.
The extreme conditions, which began last week and continued to spike on Thursday, were caused by a heat dome, a high-pressure system that traps heat and humidity.
The World Meteorological Organization reported in April that Europe is warming at a rate that is twice the global average due to the climate crisis, with 95% of the continent experiencing above-average annual temperatures last year.
With no air conditioning in much of Europe, there is little relief to be found from the sweltering weather. Several European governments issued health warnings advising the public to minimize unnecessary travel and carry water while outdoors.
The heat has also proven fatal, with five dead from heat exposure in Italy and 40 drowning deaths reported in France, where many young people have taken to swimming unattended in lakes and canals, The New York Times reported.
Photos show how extreme heat is affecting businesses, infrastructure, and daily life across Europe — and how locals and tourists are doing their best to beat the heat.
On Tuesday, a thermometer in Brussels displayed a temperature of 45 degrees Celsius, or 113 degrees Fahrenheit.
Dogs and humans alike splashed in sidewalk sprinklers and fountains around Brussels for a break from the heat.
Billboards in Venice, Italy, issued heat wave alerts on Tuesday, when temperatures reached 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tourists on the Ponte della Paglia bridge in Venice carried umbrellas for some relief from the sun.
The UK experienced its hottest June day on record on Wednesday, with temperatures reaching 97 degrees Fahrenheit, causing train cancellations.
Signs at King’s Cross station in London advised train passengers to “only travel if absolutely necessary” on Wednesday and Thursday.
Riders on the tube in London carried fans to cool themselves off.
Sainsbury’s supermarket locations covered their refrigerated sections with blinds to help keep food cold.
In Paris, the Louvre announced it would close early through June 27 due to the extreme temperatures.
Ice cream sold out at supermarkets across Paris amid skyrocketing demand for frozen treats.
Sea lions snacked on ice cubes at Paris Zoological Park.
Zookeepers at Safaripark Beekse Bergen in the Netherlands provided giraffe-friendly ice cream.
In Tilburg, the Netherlands, locals stocked up on fans.
In Germany, winter maintenance vehicles in Unstrut-Hainich-Kreis sprayed down roads to keep the asphalt from softening.
Parts of Germany’s A2 highway still had to close on Thursday after the high temperatures damaged the road’s surface.
A farm in Oberried, Germany, utilized a misting system to help alleviate heat stress for its cows.
Across Europe, government organizations advised people to stay hydrated.
