As temperatures soar, emergency plans are set in place, with schools closing and health authorities urging citizens to remain indoors amid the rising risk of heat-related health issues.
A relentless heatwave has taken hold of Southern and Eastern Europe, forcing France to issue a staggering number of heat alerts, with 84 of its 96 mainland departments currently under an orange alert. France's Climate Minister, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, has described the situation as "unprecedented," underscoring the severity of the crisis.
As temperatures reached record highs over the weekend, Spain and Portugal recorded their hottest June days ever, with El Granado in Andalucía hitting 46°C and central Portugal's Mora attaining a scorching 46.6°C. This extreme heat has prompted emergency medical services across several countries, including Spain, Portugal, Italy, and parts of Germany and the UK, to remain on high alert.
In France, nearly 200 schools have closed or partially closed in response to the relentless heatwave. Education Minister Elisabeth Borne is collaborating with regional authorities to ensure the safety of schoolchildren, with parents encouraged to keep their children home if possible.
The rising temperatures have already led to forest fires in France's southern Corbières mountain range, leading to evacuations and road closures, although fire authorities have reported that the fires are now contained.
Italy also faces its share of heat warnings, with 21 cities, including major hubs like Rome, Milan, and Venice, placed on the highest alert level. Hospital emergency departments have registered a 10% increase in heatstroke cases, affecting the health of those in the country.
The heatwave also influenced the UK, where temperatures are predicted to reach 34°C, while Spain and Portugal remain on heat alerts. The weather has taken its toll on locals, as evidenced by 21-year-old Anabel Sanchez from Seville, who reported struggles with insomnia and heat-related health issues.
Even as various countries grapple with the heat, wildfires have ignited in Turkey, causing property damage and necessitating evacuations. Croatia, Greece, and several Balkan nations struggle with similarly high temperatures, with record-breaking days reported in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Climate experts warn of the ramifications of increased temperatures, including risks to the Mediterranean's environment and invasive species as sea temperatures rise. While linking specific weather trends to climate change can be complex, heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense, highlighting the urgency of climate action in addressing global warming.
A relentless heatwave has taken hold of Southern and Eastern Europe, forcing France to issue a staggering number of heat alerts, with 84 of its 96 mainland departments currently under an orange alert. France's Climate Minister, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, has described the situation as "unprecedented," underscoring the severity of the crisis.
As temperatures reached record highs over the weekend, Spain and Portugal recorded their hottest June days ever, with El Granado in Andalucía hitting 46°C and central Portugal's Mora attaining a scorching 46.6°C. This extreme heat has prompted emergency medical services across several countries, including Spain, Portugal, Italy, and parts of Germany and the UK, to remain on high alert.
In France, nearly 200 schools have closed or partially closed in response to the relentless heatwave. Education Minister Elisabeth Borne is collaborating with regional authorities to ensure the safety of schoolchildren, with parents encouraged to keep their children home if possible.
The rising temperatures have already led to forest fires in France's southern Corbières mountain range, leading to evacuations and road closures, although fire authorities have reported that the fires are now contained.
Italy also faces its share of heat warnings, with 21 cities, including major hubs like Rome, Milan, and Venice, placed on the highest alert level. Hospital emergency departments have registered a 10% increase in heatstroke cases, affecting the health of those in the country.
The heatwave also influenced the UK, where temperatures are predicted to reach 34°C, while Spain and Portugal remain on heat alerts. The weather has taken its toll on locals, as evidenced by 21-year-old Anabel Sanchez from Seville, who reported struggles with insomnia and heat-related health issues.
Even as various countries grapple with the heat, wildfires have ignited in Turkey, causing property damage and necessitating evacuations. Croatia, Greece, and several Balkan nations struggle with similarly high temperatures, with record-breaking days reported in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Climate experts warn of the ramifications of increased temperatures, including risks to the Mediterranean's environment and invasive species as sea temperatures rise. While linking specific weather trends to climate change can be complex, heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense, highlighting the urgency of climate action in addressing global warming.
