Key events
Train disruptions reported over weekend as Europe battles heatwave
Over the weekend, multiple European train operators reported substantial disruptions as the extreme weather posed all sorts of logistical challenges.
Issues were reported with Czech, German and Polish trains, among others, with stories of stranded passengers, delays running into hours, and overcrowded trains with barely (or not) working AC.
The Czech operator České dráhy even published a helpful social media thread explaining some of the challenges it faced, including their response to the ever-present question of “why is the AC in my train not working properly” (tl;dr: it’s not prepared for temperatures of 40C).
It features this killer line:
“You might be surprised to learn that the goal isn’t to turn the train into a freezer.”
Worth reading the full thing.
France looks into excess deaths caused by heatwave
Meanwhile, France is counting the human cost of the heatwave, which began in mid-June and ended (temporarily?) with violent thunderstorms over the weekend, AP reported.
Public Health France reports a surge in deaths, particularly among older people. Last week, deaths exceeded 1,200 on Wednesday and rose to over 1,400 on Thursday, AP reported, and Friday, hundreds more than usually.
The authorities expect these numbers to rise as more death certificates are processed, showing the very real and tragic consequences of human-made climate change.
The red extreme heat alert ends today, but the country’s prime minister Sébastien Lecornu will still chair a cross-governmental crisis meeting later today to discuss the events of the last week.
The meeting will also look to draw lessons that could help prepare for any potential future episodes, which, erm, may not be too far out into the future.
Morning opening: It’s just too hot
Jakub Krupa
Good morning, or dzień dobry, from Warsaw, Poland as the heatwave that affected much of the continent last week continues to impact central and eastern Europe.
It’s 9am local time and already 32C. I have seen two people cycling home with large fans, trying to get back before the heat hits the fan again. None of this is normal.
Czechia, Germany and Poland all broke their all-time records yesterday. You can catch up with the latest here:
Belgrade, Bratislava, Budapest, Warsaw are all expected to see temperatures up to 38C today.
And before you think you are glad it’s all over in Brussels, Paris, or London, all I am going to say is: don’t check the 10-day weather forecast.
I will bring you all the latest updates from across the continent as central eastern Europe sees the heatwave go and turn into violent thunderstorms this evening – as seen in western Europe earlier this week.
There is also some summertime politics going on, with Nato’s Mark Rutte meeting Britain’s outgoing prime minister Keir Starmer in London, EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič hosting China’s commerce minister Wang Wentao in Brussels today and Germany’s foreign minister Johann Wadephul visiting Marco Rubio in Washington DC.
It’s Monday, 29 June 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
