German tram network MELTS as Europe 'unprepared' for deadly heatwave

Germany Heatwave Hits

The tram network in Leipzig saw tracks melting, as Germany’s record-breaking heatwave pushed temperatures to 41°C – leading to more criticism that Europe was still unprepared for high temperatures, despite years of warnings.

“We are poorly prepared. The trams can’t operate. It’s simply just hot,” one resident said. “There aren’t enough public drinking water fountains in Leipzig where people can cool down.”

Footage shows tram rails in Leipzig coated with softened bitumen after the material heated up and ran into sections of the track. The disruption forced tram services to be suspended across parts of the city.

Residents Seek Relief

Others said the city’s heavily built-up centre only made conditions worse.

“There should be more mobile drinking water stations. That would be helpful,” another local said.

Some residents abandoned outdoor plans altogether, choosing to stay inside during the hottest part of the day.

“There could definitely be more air conditioning,” another resident said, adding that even cultural venues lacked adequate cooling.

Others said Germany would have to adapt to a hotter future.

“We Germans aren’t used to having air conditioning, so we have to find other ways to cope,” another resident said.

Europe Faces Extreme Heat

Germany is among several European countries hit by an intense early-summer heatwave, with temperatures topping 40°C in parts of the country.

WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said more than 1,300 excess deaths since June 21 were ‘linked to high temperatures in Europe’.

Similar conditions have also affected France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic, triggering health alerts, transport disruption and heightened wildfire warnings across much of Western Europe.

Article by Viory