Germany has experienced its highest temperature on record as a powerful heatwave continues to sweep across Europe, prompting health warnings, transport disruptions and growing concerns over extreme weather conditions.

Preliminary figures released by Germany’s national weather service showed that temperatures reached 41.5°C in the eastern town of Drewitz on Saturday. If officially confirmed, the reading will surpass the country’s previous record of 41.3°C, which was set only a day earlier near Saarbrücken.

The latest temperature milestone comes as the intense heat spreads across Central and Eastern Europe, with Denmark, Switzerland and the Czech Republic also reporting record-breaking temperatures. The heatwave has now extended into Poland, Hungary, Romania and Moldova, where millions of residents remain under red and amber weather alerts.

The extreme conditions have already claimed lives in parts of Europe. France has reported several heat-related deaths, while hospitals across the country have recorded a significant increase in emergency admissions linked to the soaring temperatures.

French authorities said that although the worst of the heatwave is beginning to ease, pressure on the country’s healthcare system is expected to continue for several more days because of the sustained number of patients requiring medical attention.

The prolonged hot weather has also increased the risk of wildfires in France, with officials reporting more fire incidents than during the same period last year.

Across the region, the heat has affected critical infrastructure. Concerns over damage to roads and railway tracks have forced some public transport operators to reduce services and implement precautionary measures.

Italy remains on high alert as drought conditions worsen. The country’s Health Ministry has issued red heat alerts for 18 cities, including Milan, Rome, Turin, Venice, Genoa, Florence and Bologna, with temperatures forecast to rise to as high as 39°C in several locations. Water levels in the River Po have also dropped to record lows, raising further concerns over the impact of the prolonged dry spell.

Meanwhile, André Berghegger, Chief Executive of the German Association of Towns and Municipalities, appealed to residents to use water responsibly to help conserve supplies.

He said authorities preferred voluntary public cooperation and would only consider introducing restrictions on water usage if the situation deteriorates further.

The ongoing heatwave has intensified concerns about the increasing frequency of extreme weather events across Europe, with governments closely monitoring public health risks, wildfire threats and the resilience of critical infrastructure.