A severe heatwave across Western Europe in June has caused more than 2,000 excess deaths in France and Spain, according to provisional data from national health authorities, as record temperatures strained power grids, disrupted rail services, and forced governments to impose emergency measures.

Spain’s daily mortality monitoring system (MoMo) recorded 1,029 deaths attributable to high temperatures in June, the highest for that month since 2015. France’s public health agency reported around 1,000 excess deaths during the heatwave’s peak between 24 and 28 June, with emergency services noting an 85% increase in fatalities among those over 75. Across the continent, transport infrastructure suffered widespread damage: in Germany, tram services were suspended after sealant on tracks melted, while in Sweden a train derailed due to heat-induced track deformation. Belgium’s national railway cancelled more than 100 trains daily, and France’s SNCF cut around 10% of commuter services in the Paris region.

Electricity prices surged as cooling demand rose and supply tightened. In Germany, day-ahead prices averaged €109.50 per megawatt-hour, the highest for June since the 2022 energy crisis, with hourly spikes reaching €665.82. French nuclear output was curtailed because river water used for cooling became too warm, while low wind speeds reduced renewable generation. Analysts at Allianz Trade estimate that if such heatwaves become the norm, by 2030 Germany could lose up to $131 billion in GDP, France $240 billion, Italy $147 billion, and Spain $120 billion, as labour productivity declines by roughly 3% for each degree above 30°C.

The full human and economic toll remains provisional, with some earlier media reports citing 1,300 deaths across the continent, though official figures from just two countries already surpass that. Spanish meteorologists warn that a new mass of hot, dry air is set to push temperatures to 42-44°C in the south-east early this week, raising the risk of further deaths and wildfires. In Barcelona, authorities have distributed 1,400 temperature-monitoring bracelets to outdoor workers as an early-warning system. French hospital officials say they do not expect fatalities to reach the 15,000 recorded in the 2003 heatwave, but the number is likely to exceed last year’s 5,700. Investigations into the full impact are ongoing, and provisional mortality data continues to be assessed.