European heatwave is worst ever and impossible without climate crisis, scientists say

Study also finds high humidity means people in hundreds of cities are enduring their worst ever heat stress

People cooling off at the seaside on one of the hottest days of the year in Fountainstown, Co. Cork. Picture: David Creedon

The heatwave scorching western Europe is the most severe and widespread ever and is only possible due to the climate crisis driven by fossil fuel burning, scientists have said.

Almost half of Europe’s 850 largest cities are also enduring their worst-ever heat stress, a combination of temperature and humidity, they found.