US scorched as Fourth of July weekend begins

Meanwhile, provisional figures show 1,000+ people died in Spain due to extreme heat. Health ministry’s daily mortality monitoring system, MoMo, said there were 1,029 excess deaths attributable to high temperatures in June.

Millions of people across the US East Coast are enduring record-breaking temperatures as the Fourth of July holiday weekend begins, with authorities warning of dangerous conditions.

The hottest spell of the year was expected to continue through Friday, affecting 25 million people across central and eastern parts of the country. New York City reach­ed 38°C on Thursday, its hottest day since 2012, while Phil­adelphia recorded 39°C, its hi­ghest temperature since 2011.

The heatwave coincides with outdoor holiday celebrations, including President Donald Trump’s America 250 event and World Cup matches, raising concerns over public safety. Severe thunderstorms, bringing damaging winds, hail, flash flooding and isolated tornadoes, are forecast across the northern Plains, Midwest and Great Lakes before cooler air arrives early next week.

Canada is also experiencing extreme heat, with warnings across Ontario and Quebec. Scientists say heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense because of human-induced climate change.

France heatwave deaths jump 29% Mortuaries struggle as toll rises

Deaths in France surged 29% during the week of June 22-28, the country’s public health agency said, as record-breaking heat gripped Europe. The agency recorded 8,973 deaths, about 2,000 more than the previous week, warning the toll is incomplete. Paris mortuaries reportedly struggled for space, while hospitals treated a surge in heat-related illnesses. Officials said climate change is making heatwaves more frequent and severe.