Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth has declared a critical incident after its cooling units failed during the third day of an intense heatwave gripping the UK. The hospital's chiller units, which support essential infrastructure such as theatres and laboratories, broke down, leading to rising internal temperatures and the cancellation of planned appointments and care.
Record-Breaking Temperatures
The Met Office has issued red and amber weather warnings as temperatures are expected to hit 39°C, with the hottest June day on record already confirmed. A provisional high of 35.8°C was recorded in Wiggonholt, West Sussex, surpassing the previous record of 35.6°C set in 1976.
Widespread School and Attraction Closures
More than 500 schools, primarily in southern England, remain partially or fully closed due to the extreme heat. Several London attractions, including Tower Bridge and the Cutty Sark, have shut their doors, along with some shops and restaurants like Greggs.
Travel Disruption
Train companies are advising passengers to travel only if necessary, and the London Underground has experienced weather-related disruptions, including on the Elizabeth line. More than ten people were taken to hospital after being stuck on the M25 for hours, with the South East Coast Ambulance Service reporting heat-related conditions.
In a separate incident, passengers on a Great Northern train were stuck for nearly two hours without air conditioning before being evacuated. Gary Cutting, whose wife Anne was on the train, said: 'We know these things happen, but it got really hot on the train, and people were getting flustered. One guy was going mad. He pulled the doors open, and my wife wasn't feeling too well either.' Great Northern apologized, stating that the safety of passengers was their top priority.
Hospital Impact
Queen Alexandra Hospital, which employs over 8,000 people, experienced cooling unit failure on the evening of June 24. The units support digital systems and clinical services, including theatres and cardiac catheter laboratories. Patients are advised to bring water and limit visitors. Engineers are on site repairing the system.
Other Heatwave Effects
A fire broke out at Westbourne Park Bus Garage, damaging an electric bus and two charging points, with no injuries reported. Two children were rescued from the sea off Ramsgate Harbour by members of the public before emergency services arrived. A search for a 15-year-old boy missing in Testwood Lakes near Totton, Hampshire, is ongoing.
An extreme heat conference at the London School of Economics was cancelled due to the red warning. London Assembly Member Thomas Turrell urged Mayor Sadiq Khan to increase the number of air-conditioned trains, noting that only 192 of 620 Tube trains have air conditioning.
