A record heat wave is sweeping Europe, breaking national temperature highs, killing hundreds and overwhelming hospitals and power networks.Meteorologists say an "omega block" is trapping hot air from North Africa and pushing temperatures up to 18°C above normal, with highs of 41.7°C in Brandenburg and 40.5°C in Warsaw and forecasts of over 40°C for Budapest.The World Health Organization reports more than 1,300 excess deaths since the wave began and national tallies list about 1,000 additional deaths in France and roughly 800 in Spain, alongside drownings and other heat-linked fatalities.Governments have declared red warnings across central and eastern Europe, opened 2,000 cooling centres in Hungary, banned public drinking in
Paris, deployed water cannons in Berlin and allocated €130M for school cooling and renovations.