Heatwave Hits Europe, Foreign Ministry Confirms No Indonesian Casualties

The Director of Protection for Indonesian Citizens at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Heni Hamidah, has confirmed that no Indonesian citizens have been reported as victims of the extreme heatwave currently affecting several European countries. “Regarding the heatwave in Europe, we have communicated with our representatives there and so far, no Indonesian citizens have been affected or become victims,” Heni stated during a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday. Despite this, all Indonesian representatives in European countries have enhanced anticipatory measures by opening hotline services for Indonesian citizens and issuing advisories to remain vigilant in facing the extreme weather. She noted that these steps were taken as a form of mitigation because the heatwave is still ongoing in several parts of the European region. The heatwave, which has been affecting Europe since mid-June, has pushed air temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in several countries, including France, Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary. The extreme weather has led to an increase in the number of residents suffering from health problems, disrupted transport services and infrastructure, and heightened the risk of forest fires and energy supply disruptions in several areas. In France, health authorities reported around 1,000 excess deaths suspected to be linked to the heatwave, with the majority of victims being elderly. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has warned that extreme heatwaves are expected to become more frequent in the future as a result of climate change.