Deadly ‘Omega’ heat wave cooking Europe expected to shatter more records
Deadly 'Omega' heat wave broils Europe with more heat records expected
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Deadly ‘Omega’ heat wave cooking Europe expected to shatter more records
By Reuters Published June 24, 2026, 11:24 a.m. ETSee more of our coverage in your search results.
Add The New York Post on GooglePARIS/LONDON/ROME — Western Europe was in the grip of a heat wave on Wednesday that shattered records, caused the deaths of dozens of people, closed schools, knocked out electricity and wiped out poultry farms.
In France, which on Tuesday recorded its hottest day since records began nearly 80 years ago, authorities sought to restore electricity to thousands of homes hit by power cuts in the northwestern region of Brittany.
The recorded temperature peaked at 111.7 degrees Fahrenheit (44.3 degrees Celsius) in the southwestern town of Pissos.
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Italy’s health ministry issued its highest heat alert for 16 cities, from Florence and Milan to Rome, Turin and Verona.
In Britain, on course for its hottest June day ever, the Met Office weather service issued only the second extreme-heat weather warning in history.
Hundreds of schools stayed shut or closed early, as high temperatures could place even healthy people at risk.
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At least 48 people died in France from drowning as they attempted to seek respite from the crippling heat, while two young children were killed by heat in a car, authorities said.
Two elderly people died of heatstroke in Spain, which has experienced extreme temperatures since the weekend, exceeding 104 F (40 C).
Temperatures there were starting to ease on Wednesday, after Monday and Tuesday were the hottest days on record for late June, the national weather agency AEMET said.
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The scorching temperatures killed hundreds of thousands of birds at poultry farms in Brittany and the Pays de la Loire, French agricultural bodies said.
Farmers awaiting collection or burial were advised to pour sawdust or wood shavings on the carcasses to absorb liquid.
The dead birds could be buried at the farms only after technical and environmental checks.
Nuclear power plants that provide most of the electricity in France reduced their output by about 7% of electricity demand on Wednesday, as high temperatures reduced access to cooling water.
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Heat Wave Lock-In
A rare weather pattern known as an Omega block was causing the record-breaking temperatures across Europe, as high as 32 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius) above normal, according to the Reuters Climate Monitor.
The phenomenon resembles the shape of the Greek letter Omega, with a bulbous middle trapping in intensifying heat hovering over regions for extended periods, with cooler weather on its fringes.
The weather agency Meteo-France has said the conditions are comparable to a heatwave in August 2003 that lasted 16 days and caused an estimated 80,000 excess deaths across Europe.
Europe is warming at more than twice the global average, the World Meteorological Organization has said, which makes prolonged heat episodes increasingly likely.
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Models and Cooks Feel the Heat
The Eiffel Tower announced early closing times, and the Changing of the Guard outside Buckingham Palace was scaled back, without the usual ceremony of soldiers in scarlet tunics and heavy bearskin hats.
In Paris, where the annual Fashion Week was underway, onlookers could be seen gasping and sweating during the Louis Vuitton show as male models showed off creations by pop singer Pharrell Williams.
Labels including Dior and Rick Owens changed their schedules to hold shows in the morning, organizers said.
Sascha Meyer, manager of the Bamberger Haus beer garden in Munich, where fresh chickens were roasting on a spit, reckoned it was close to 122 F (50 C) in the serving area. “Unfortunately, the fan doesn’t help.”
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An extreme heat warning was in place across the Netherlands, where outdoor sports were canceled, public transport was scaled down and schools shortened classes or closed as temperatures were expected to soar to 96.8 F (36 C).
In Switzerland, local authorities opened air-conditioned theatres for free daytime cinema screenings.
Work Hours Impacted
Construction contractors across the continent altered working hours so employees could avoid the worst, while retailers struggled to meet demand for fans and portable air-conditioners.
Britain’s biggest supermarket chain, Tesco, said it was expecting an increase of more than 72% in sales of sunscreen this week and a 48% surge in the sale of ice cream and ice lollies.
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A French agriculture cooperative said farmers were introducing night shifts for harvesting to protect workers from afternoon heat and fields from fire risk.
In Italy, conditions were expected to worsen further, especially across central and northern regions, with the heatwave likely to peak between Sunday and Monday, meteorologists said.
Temperatures could reach 105.8 F (41 C) between Tuscany and Emilia, while in coastal areas such as Liguria, the combination of heat and extreme humidity could drive perceived temperatures as high as 113 F (45 C).
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Still, tourists waited patiently in the blazing sun to visit museums at the Vatican on Wednesday. Some held umbrellas or fans while others simply draped their heads with T-shirts.
Many gathered for refills of water around fountains or cafes for other refreshments.
“We want a beer, a beer for the heat,” said Father Israel from the Dominican Republic as he held up a large pint of lager in his hand.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
