Europe's deadly heatwave breaks German record and halts public events

June temperature records were broken across Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands on Friday as Europe's ongoing heatwave intensified, with the death toll rising in Spain and France. Authorities also cancelled concerts and other public events due to health concerns.

Germany provisionally recorded its highest-ever temperature of 41.3°C in the south-western city of Saarbrücken, near the French border. France, which experienced three consecutive days of record-breaking heat earlier this week, has now passed the peak of the heatwave.

Despite easing temperatures, France's health minister expressed concern over the increasing number of heat-related deaths occurring at home.

The World Meteorological Organization warned that the heatwave could have severe impacts on public health, ecosystems, agriculture and labour. Spokesperson Clare Nullis said people would unfortunately have to adapt to increasingly frequent extreme heat.

The heatwave has continued moving north and east. Belgian forecaster David Dehenauw said an unofficial temperature of 40°C was recorded in Kleine Brogel, near the Dutch border.

In the Netherlands, temperatures reached 39.4°C in the southern province of Limburg, while the UK provisionally recorded a June high of 37.1°C in Cavendish, Suffolk.

According to AFP calculations, at least 150 million people across Europe experienced temperatures above 35°C on Friday.