France saw around 1,000 additional deaths last week at the height of its record-smashing heat wave, the country’s public health agency said Sunday. The head of the World Health Organization warned that Europe is now the fastest-warming continent and needs to do more to protect its citizens.

Heat Wave Sparks Wildfires and Health Concerns

Temperature records were toppled in several countries, with Germany marking a new record for the third day in a row with 41.7 degrees Celsius (107 degrees Fahrenheit) in Neißemünde, near the border with Poland. The Czech Republic also experienced its hottest day ever with 41.9 C (107.4 F). A new study from the World Weather Attribution reported that the record-breaking heat and humidity in Europe this past week would not have been possible without climate change.

The rapid study found that the heat would have been virtually impossible just five decades ago, and is 200 times more likely today than it would have been 20 years ago. The heat wave has sparked wildfires in Germany and Berlin, with firefighters struggling to contain the blazes. The heat has also worsened damage to infrastructure, with the concrete surface on countless highways breaking up.

WHO Warns of Heat Stress and Calls for Action

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Sunday that Europe is the fastest-warming continent on Earth, heating at twice the global average. He warned that heat stress is often called the ‘silent killer’ and that European homes, workplaces, and schools were not built for these temperatures. Tedros called on European countries to implement action plans, focusing on preparedness, prevention, and stronger health system responses.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.