Heatwave melts Lincoln monument; millions endure extreme temperatures

A heatwave is sweeping through the United States. Over 100 million Americans are facing alerts or warnings due to the extreme heat, with a natural feel temperature exceeding even 41°C. Lincoln's wax sculpture could not withstand such high temperatures.

The impressive, six-metre (20-foot) tall figure of former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln is located at Camp Barker in Washington, D.C. It was made from wax and designed to withstand temperatures up to 60°C. This year's heatwave tested the monument's durability.

As the temperature in the nation's capital rose sharply, the wax likeness of President Abraham Lincoln began to melt, leading to significant deformation. "He kept a cool head during the American Civil War, but a heatwave proved too much for his statue," joked BBC journalists, publishing photos of the deformed sculpture.

First, the head fell off, and then the legs and torso became deformed. Photos of the damaged monument spread across social media. The wax sculpture is currently being repaired. The reconstruction will be facilitated by the wires that form the structure's skeleton.

An exceptionally early heatwave this year has been persisting in the USA, including Washington, D.C., New York, Baltimore, and nearby areas for days. Some cities provide air-conditioned public facilities to residents to protect them from dangerously high temperatures.

"New York City has a plan to beat the heat, and we want all New Yorkers to have a plan, too," said American politician Eric Adams, as quoted by local media. Last year, according to local authorities, 350 New Yorkers died due to heat-related illnesses.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported an "exceptionally high" rate of heat-related illnesses this week in the New England, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic regions.