European heat wave triggers health warnings from London to Milan as temperatures rise

(24 Jun 2026) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS London - 24 June 2026 1. Various of people near Tower Bridge 2. SOUNDBITE (English) Frederik Bangnowski (left) and Janine Waldow (right), tourists from Germany: Janine Waldow: "It's very hot but it's bearable and you have to drink a lot of water but I think it's fine, yeah." Frederik Bangnowski: "Yeah, for a city tour, just stay in the shadows and then just keep moving and drink a lot of water." 3. People walking with umbrella 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Frederik Bangnowski (left) and Janine Waldow (right), tourists from Germany: Frederik Bangnowski: "Yes, you see in the recent years it's increasing. Every year we hit a new climate and temperature record, so I think that's it's a warning sign that we all should consider, yes." Janine Waldow: "Yeah, I think so too. So I think we should do more for the climate I think it will be much harder in the next years." ASSOCIATED PRESS London - 23 June 2026 5. Various of people walking on Westminster bridge ASSOCIATED PRESS London - 24 June 2026 6. SOUNDBITE (English) Waqas Ahmed, tourist from north England: "Yeah, it's really hot. You know, they predicted 36 degrees Celsius, so it's really hot. But still, you know, it is a beautiful view to watch, and we took a long way to come here to see the beautiful views of London Bridge. So it's a happy thing. But you know the hot weather is a big thing, but still we are enjoying." 7. People in sitting in shade 8. SOUNDBITE (English) Zoe Hore, tourist from Australia: "It's really hot, but a swimming pool would be nice, but." 9. People sat in shade 10. SOUNDBITE (English) Zoe Hore, tourist from Australia: "Yeah, probably not the week to be walking around the streets, but it's doable. Luckily I'm used to this weather a bit in Australia." 10. Various of people sitting ASSOCIATED PRESS London - 23 June 2026 11. Various of people walking on bridge 12. People sitting on bench 13. The Parliament STORYLINE: Large parts of western Europe were baking Wednesday as a "heat dome" brought extreme conditions that many forecasters warned could present a risk to life. A day after France recorded its hottest-ever day, the U.K. was set to see its highest ever June temperature, prompting the national weather forecaster to issue a "red heat health” alert for much of central and southern England, as well as Wales. This is only the second such warning ever issued by U.K. authorities following July 2022, when temperatures exceeded 40 degrees C (104 F) for the first time ever. The temperature was set to fall short of 40 degrees C on Wednesday but could breach that level, not long ago considered as unimaginable on Thursday. "Red warnings are reserved for the most severe events and we’re expecting severe and significant impacts from this heat wave, with health impacts likely for many, even beyond those who are normally more vulnerable to the heat," said Mark Sidaway, deputy chief forecaster for the U.K. Met Office. AP Video by Kwiyeon Ha =========================================================== Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: [email protected]. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...