Europe is battling a heatwave that has brought record temperatures, devastating wildfires, and forced governments to adopt unprecedented energy-saving measures.
Large parts of Europe remained in the grip of a severe heatwave on Thursday, August 6, 2026, prompting a series of extraordinary measures across the continent. Italy has declared the highest level of health alert for all major cities, Hungary has switched off decorative lighting on its landmarks, and tourists in Bosnia and Herzegovina are seeking refuge from the heat in the Vjetrenica cave.
This summer, Europe, which is warming faster than any other continent, has faced extreme temperatures and extensive wildfires, with France and Spain suffering the most in recent weeks. According to the European Commissioner for the Environment, speaking to Reuters, the European Union will encourage its member states to increase funding for preventive measures against fires, while experts estimate that the economic damage from this year's fires has already exceeded 15 billion euros.
Italy, though accustomed to hot summers, has taken an unprecedented step. The Ministry of Health has issued a red alert stretching from Palermo in Sicily to Bolzano in the mountainous north of the country. This warning indicates a potential health crisis, as prolonged high temperatures pose a serious threat to the health of all citizens.
On Thursday, temperatures in parts of the northern region of Emilia-Romagna exceeded 40 degrees Celsius. In Bagnacavallo, near Ravenna, a temperature of 42.8°C was recorded. Pilgrims gathered under the strong sun in Assisi were sprayed with water to cool down during a visit by Pope Leo, who celebrated the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis. Visitors in Rome use umbrellas for sun protection and dip their hands into the city's fountains.
Hungary has switched off all decorative and non-essential lighting at night on all state institutions, including the parliament building, most of Buda Castle, and the Chain Bridge in Budapest, to reduce energy consumption. Due to the record-low water level of the Danube, the country has had to almost completely halt operations at its only nuclear power plant, which uses the river for cooling, pushing the electricity system to its limits.
Romania faces similar problems. The country plans to sink four barges loaded with stones into the Danube to redirect the water flow towards its only active nuclear reactor, ensuring a few more days of operation. Authorities in Bucharest have also reduced street lighting intensity by one-third and turned off lights on historic buildings and museums at night to save electricity. Low water levels are also causing difficulties for river traffic on the Rhine in Germany, where many ships can only sail with partial cargo, increasing transport costs.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, where outdoor temperatures reach 40°C, tourists find refuge in the constantly cool Vjetrenica cave, which is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Vjetrenica is located in the south of the country, about 25 kilometers north of Dubrovnik, which is visited daily by cruise ships carrying thousands of visitors. The number of visitors to the cave is limited due to the sensitivity of its natural environment, and its constant temperature of 11°C year-round makes it a haven for diverse biological life, as well as for people seeking relief from extreme heat.
