Europe created heatwave protections, but now comes the ‘crash test’
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
People cool off in the Trocadero Fountain next to the Eiffel Tower as temperatures rise during a heatwave affecting a large part of the country, on June 22.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Chico Harlan
ROME – After a heatwave 23 years ago caused 70,000 deaths across the continent, European countries took steps to try to minimise the suffering next time around.
They created early warning systems, organised cooling shelters and helped hospitals get better prepared. Paris built a registry of elderly and vulnerable residents, who get check-in calls when temperatures climb.
