Tram services in Leipzig, eastern Germany, were suspended after extreme heat caused asphalt and concrete to melt and spill onto the tracks.
Temperatures in the city reached approximately 40 degrees Celsius, with the friction from passing vehicles and trams accelerating the degradation of the road surface.
The incident highlights the immediate infrastructure strain caused by the ongoing heatwave.
The disruption in Leipzig occurs as the German Weather Service (DWD) has escalated its alerts, extending heat warnings to cover nearly all of the country's federal states.
Meteorologists warn that temperatures are expected to remain elevated, posing continued risks to transportation networks and public health.
The DWD previously issued specific warnings for southwestern regions, but the scope of the alert has now broadened significantly.