Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth has declared a critical incident after its chiller units supporting crucial infrastructure, such as theatres and laboratories, broke down amid the ongoing heatwave. The cooling system failure occurred on the evening of June 24, causing internal temperatures to rise. Engineers are on site repairing the system, but some planned appointments and care have been cancelled. Patients attending the hospital are advised to bring water and limit the number of people accompanying them.
Record-breaking temperatures
The Met Office expects temperatures to hit 39°C on June 25, with red and amber weather warnings in place. June 24 was already provisionally the hottest June day on record, with 35.7°C recorded in Charlwood, Surrey, surpassing the 1976 record of 35.6°C. Later that day, a provisional high of 35.8°C was recorded in Wiggonholt, West Sussex. Forecasters anticipate temperatures could reach 38°C or higher.
Widespread school and attraction closures
More than 500 schools, mostly in southern England, remain partially or fully closed. Several London attractions, including Tower Bridge and Cutty Sark, have closed due to the heat. Greggs and other shops and restaurants have also shut their doors. An extreme heat conference at the London School of Economics was cancelled because of the red heat warning.
Travel disruption and incidents
Most train companies advise passengers to travel only if absolutely necessary. The London Underground has faced weather-related disruption, including on the Elizabeth line. On June 24, a Great Northern train broke down near a tunnel, leaving passengers stuck for almost two hours without air conditioning. One passenger, Anne Cutting, 70, who suffers from COPD, struggled to breathe, and another man had a panic attack. The train company apologised and said evacuation began after one hour and 45 minutes.
More than ten people were taken to hospital after being stuck on the M25 for hours, primarily with minor heat-related conditions, according to the South East Coast Ambulance Service. A fire at Westbourne Park Bus Garage damaged an electric bus and two charging points, impacting bus routes 28, 31, and 328.
Rescues and search operations
Two children were rescued by teenagers after being swept out to sea off Ramsgate Harbour. A major search operation is underway for a 15-year-old boy who disappeared in Testwood Lakes, near Totton, Hampshire. Emergency services, including marine units and a helicopter, are involved.
Calls for more air-conditioned trains
London Assembly Member Thomas Turrell urged Mayor Sadiq Khan to increase the number of air-conditioned Tube trains. Currently, 192 out of 620 Tube trains have air conditioning, covering 40% of the network. Turrell said: 'Londoners could have been enjoying air-conditioned Piccadilly and DLR trains this week, but instead they are sweating to death because the Mayor has failed in this basic responsibility.'
