Germany Breaks Heat Record for Third Straight Day as 41.7°C Scorches Country, Rail Services Disrupted and Wildfires Spread

Germany has set a new national temperature record for the third consecutive day, as an unprecedented heatwave pushed temperatures to 41.7 degrees Celsius in Coschen, Brandenburg, on June 28, according to the German Weather Service (DWD).

The new record surpassed the 41.5°C recorded a day earlier and the 41.3°C measured on June 27, marking three consecutive days of record-breaking temperatures.

The intense heat has also caused major disruptions to the country's infrastructure. In the city of Leipzig, tram services were temporarily suspended after extreme temperatures caused rail tracks to warp and asphalt roads to soften.

Germany also experienced its hottest night on record, with unusually high overnight temperatures preventing the human body from cooling down properly. Health experts warned that the conditions pose serious risks, particularly for elderly people, children, and those with underlying medical conditions.

The prolonged heatwave has fueled forest fires in several parts of the country. Firefighters have faced additional challenges in some areas due to unexploded World War II ammunition buried underground, making firefighting operations more dangerous. Authorities have evacuated residents from affected communities as a precaution.

Meanwhile, at least seven people have reportedly drowned while attempting to cool off in lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, according to local media reports.

Meteorologists say the heatwave is gradually moving eastward across Europe. Although thunderstorms and rainfall are expected to bring temporary relief in the coming days, climate experts warn that human-driven climate change is making extreme heat events more frequent, more intense, and increasingly dangerous.