A brutal heatwave has swept across Europe, killing at least 1,300 people, the World Health Organisation confirmed today. The scorching temperatures, which peaked at a record 41.7 degrees Celsius in Germany, have exposed the continent's vulnerability to extreme weather events. Sources inside the WHO reveal that the death toll is likely to rise as emergency services continue to recover bodies from homes without air conditioning. The heatwave, which has gripped the continent for over a week, has overwhelmed hospitals and morgues, particularly in France, Spain, and Italy.
Documents obtained by this desk show that national governments were warned months ago about the elevated risk of such an event. Yet, critical infrastructure improvements were delayed. The failure to invest in cooling centres and public alerts has cost lives. In Germany, where temperatures broke all records, authorities are facing questions about why a national heat plan was not activated earlier.
The numbers are staggering. In France, more than 500 deaths have been reported, many among the elderly living in poorly insulated apartments. Spain's health ministry has confirmed over 300 fatalities, with the majority in rural areas where access to cooling is limited. Italy, already struggling with a drought, has seen a spike in cardiac arrests.
But this is not just a natural disaster. This is a crisis of accountability. The WHO's emergency director, Dr. Maria Neira, stated that 'climate change is making heatwaves more frequent and more deadly.' Yet, we have seen little action from European leaders who continue to subsidise fossil fuels while citizens die from the heat.
I have seen the memos. I have spoken to the whistleblowers. The failure is systemic. As the mercury rises, so does the body count. And as the sun beats down on the empty chambers of power, the question remains: who will be held responsible?
