Heat wave strains Europe's rivers, nuclear plants and sparks wildfires

Europe's ongoing heat wave has driven the Danube to historic lows, creating operational challenges for nuclear power plants and exposing wartime relics. In Hungary, the water drop nearly forced a shutdown of the Paks nuclear facility, but a slight rise a few centimeters later averted the crisis. > "Around 1:30 a.m. we were a few millimeters away from completely shutting down the Paks Power Plant, but then the water level stopped falling and by morning it had risen 1.5 centimeters. The last turbine is currently operating safely," Prime Minister Péter Magyar said.

Romanian authorities responded by detonating a controlled explosion to divert cooling water to their sole operating reactor after low levels had already closed two units. Bulgaria's plant has so far maintained output, though a cruise ship near Vidin was forced to evacuate nearly 200 tourists after running aground.

The receding river has also revealed dozens of scuttled German warships from 1944 in Serbia, underscoring the extent of the drought. Meanwhile, wildfires have intensified across the continent. In western Attica near Athens, more than 500 firefighters, supported by helicopters, are battling a blaze that has leapt containment lines. > "Conditions are constantly changing, making the flames difficult to tackle," deputy spokesman Yiannis Artopios told state media.

Two helicopters collided in the Attica fire, killing two crew members, and recent weeks have seen multiple firefighter fatalities in Greece. France reports most of its recent wildfires are now contained, though unexploded WWII munitions have been discovered in the Gironde region.

Health agencies have issued alerts as temperatures soar. Italy's Health Ministry placed 25 of its 27 major cities on red alert, with all cities expected to follow by Thursday. The United Kingdom's Health Security Agency issued heat health warnings for eight English regions, citing heightened risks for vulnerable populations.