Heatwave melts tramlines in Germany major city as Europe slammed over outdated infrastructure

Heat damage has halted parts of Nuremberg's tram network after the city's transport operator, VAG, said softened road surfaces had made sections of track unsafe.

Footage filmed on Monday shows melted sealant along the tram rails as traffic moves past the affected area. Passengers are seen waiting at a bus stop, while departure boards appear to show service disruption.

The problems hit tram services around Plarrer, one of Nuremberg's busiest transport junctions. VAG said replacement buses were running while crews dealt with the damage.

The operator had already reduced tram speeds on parts of the network last week, warning that prolonged high temperatures were putting extra strain on tracks and overhead lines.

VAG also reported problems at Rathenauplatz, where sealing material between the rails and asphalt softened in the heat. Buses were moved away from a tram stop after the material risked sticking to tyres.

Concerns have mounted over Europe's antiquated infrastructure breaking down in the latest heatwave - with schools and offices sweltering, power outages, and trains and other public transport brought to a standstill - despite years of warnings about rising summer temperatures.

WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said more than 1,300 excess deaths since June 21 were "linked to high temperatures in Europe."

There were claims of hypocrisy at the European Commission after reports emerged that it had shut down air con in Brussels - but kept the offices of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and her 26 commissioners on floors 8-13 chilled.

Liberal-leaning governments across the bloc have resisted calls for widespread air-conditioning installation, amid concerns about energy use and impact on the green agenda.

Record-breaking temperatures for June cooled slightly on Monday as the weather system moved east, but a second heatwave is set to hit at the end of the week - with fears of yet another "heat dome" in Western Europe.