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Canceled trains, early closures, and ice cream shortages: Photos show the impact of the European heat wave


Over 120 million people across 18 European countries are caught in a heat wave, with record-breaking temperatures exceeding 113 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas.

The extreme conditions, which began last week and continued to spike on Thursday, were caused by a heat dome, a high-pressure system that traps heat and humidity.

The World Meteorological Organization reported in April that Europe is warming at a rate that is twice the global average due to the climate crisis, with 95% of the continent experiencing above-average annual temperatures last year.

With no air conditioning in much of Europe, there is little relief to be found from the sweltering weather. Several European governments issued health warnings advising the public to minimize unnecessary travel and carry water while outdoors.

The heat has also proven fatal, with five dead from heat exposure in Italy and 40 drowning deaths reported in France, where many young people have taken to swimming unattended in lakes and canals, The New York Times reported.

Photos show how extreme heat is affecting businesses, infrastructure, and daily life across Europe — and how locals and tourists are doing their best to beat the heat.

On Tuesday, a thermometer in Brussels displayed a temperature of 45 degrees Celsius, or 113 degrees Fahrenheit.


A thermometer in Brussels.

Thierry Monasse/Getty Images

Dogs and humans alike splashed in sidewalk sprinklers and fountains around Brussels for a break from the heat.


A dog plays with water in Brussels.

A dog played with water during a heat wave in Brussels.

Nicolas TUCAT/AFP via Getty Images

Billboards in Venice, Italy, issued heat wave alerts on Tuesday, when temperatures reached 95 degrees Fahrenheit.


A billboard warns of a heat wave alert in Venice, Italy.

A heat wave alert in Venice.

Simone Padovani/Getty Images

Tourists on the Ponte della Paglia bridge in Venice carried umbrellas for some relief from the sun.


Tourists in the sun in Venice.

Tourists in the sun on the Ponte della Paglia in Venice.

Simone Padovani/Getty Images

The UK experienced its hottest June day on record on Wednesday, with temperatures reaching 97 degrees Fahrenheit, causing train cancellations.


Canceled trains in Liverpool.

Train cancellations in Liverpool, UK.

Tamara Davison/Anadolu via Getty Images

Signs at King’s Cross station in London advised train passengers to “only travel if absolutely necessary” on Wednesday and Thursday.


Hot weather rail travel advice at Kings Cross station.

A sign showing hot weather travel advice at King’s Cross station in London.

Toby Shepheard/AFP via Getty Images

Riders on the tube in London carried fans to cool themselves off.


People hold fans on the tube in London.

Passengers on the London Underground.

Richard Baker/In Pictures via Getty Images

Sainsbury’s supermarket locations covered their refrigerated sections with blinds to help keep food cold.


Blinds covering fridges in a supermarket in England.

A Sainsbury’s supermarket in Guildford, UK.

JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images

In Paris, the Louvre announced it would close early through June 27 due to the extreme temperatures.


The Louvre Museum with a sign closing early in a heat wave.

An announcement of the Louvre’s early closure due to a heat wave.

Mohamad Salaheldin Abdelghani Alsayed/Anadolu via Getty Images

Ice cream sold out at supermarkets across Paris amid skyrocketing demand for frozen treats.


Sold out ice cream in Paris.

A nearly empty frozen food aisle at a Franprix store in Paris.

Riccardo Milani/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images

Sea lions snacked on ice cubes at Paris Zoological Park.


A zookeeper gives ice to a sea lion.

A zookeeper gave a piece of ice to a sea lion at the Paris Zoological Park.

Dimitar DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images

Zookeepers at Safaripark Beekse Bergen in the Netherlands provided giraffe-friendly ice cream.


Giraffes eat ice cream.

Giraffes ate ice cream to cool down at Safaripark Beekse Bergen in Hilvarenbeek, the Netherlands.

Iris van den Broek/ANP/AFP via Getty Images

In Tilburg, the Netherlands, locals stocked up on fans.


A woman holds a box with a fan in the Netherlands.

A woman holding a fan in Tilburg, the Netherlands.

ROB ENGELAAR/ANP/AFP via Getty Images

In Germany, winter maintenance vehicles in Unstrut-Hainich-Kreis sprayed down roads to keep the asphalt from softening.


A winter maintenance vehicle sprays water on roads in Germany.

A winter maintenance vehicle in Unstrut-Hainich-Kreis, Gemany.

Jacob Schröter/picture alliance via Getty Images

Parts of Germany’s A2 highway still had to close on Thursday after the high temperatures damaged the road’s surface.


Road repairs due to heat.

Hot air shimmered over the A2 highway.

Klaus-Dietmar Gabbert/picture alliance via Getty Images

A farm in Oberried, Germany, utilized a misting system to help alleviate heat stress for its cows.


Cows in a barn under a misting system.

Cows stood in a barn under a misting system.

Philipp von Ditfurth/picture alliance via Getty Images

Across Europe, government organizations advised people to stay hydrated.


A man fills a plastic water bottle in Piazza della Scala in Milan, Italy.

A man filled a plastic water bottle in Piazza della Scala in Milan, Italy.

Emanuele Cremaschi/Getty Images

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