Europe hit by deadly heatwave with temperatures over 40C in holiday hotspots
Temperatures have soared across several parts of Europe with several major holiday hotspots hit by sweltering heatwaves.
Spain and Greece have both seen temperatures reach 40C today, with some areas expecting further rises in the coming days.
On the Spanish island of Majorca a 34-year-old Dutch man hiking with friends collapsed and died of heatstroke near Soller, reports local news site Ultima Hora.
Authorities have asked people to stay inside to prevent further cases.
Meanwhile a massive wildfire broke out south of Athens, with four villages evacuated as a result.
Some 130 firefighters and about two dozen water-dropping planes and helicopters battled the blaze in the Palaia Fokaia seaside area, the local fire department said.
The fire, which broke out within a populated area, was fanned by strong winds and TV footage showed at least one home burning.
Authorities in Athens banned outdoor activities for builders and delivery staff from 9am to 2pm today and advised against unnecessary travel.
Workers had the option of switching to remote working to avoid possible heat exhaustion, while air-conditioned facilities were provided for the elderly.
Tourists were less comfortable, however.
‘We are all from Pennsylvania and we have never really experienced a heatwave like this before,’ Antonia Lasen told Reuters.
‘At the Acropolis, we were all very hot and it was a little bit slippery to walk up, and the combination of the heat and the marble, I think it was hotter because of the cement, it was like a cement jungle almost, which is very hot.’
France has been dealing with a heatwave for more than a week already, with four regions in southern France placed under an orange alert on today – the second-highest warning.
Temperatures reached up to 39C inland.
In Italy, the health ministry issued its top red alert for 21 cities this weekend including the capital Rome, Milan and Venice, where Amazon tycoon Jeff Bezos is getting married today.
People were advised not to go outdoors between 11am and 6pm, and to seek shelter in air-conditioned public places.
In Portugal, the national meteorological agency IPMA said the heatwave would hit from Saturday, with temperatures passing 40C in the south of the country as well as in the central Tagus and the Douro valleys in the north.
Meanwhile in the UK, temperatures are expected to rise to over the next day, potentially peaking at 35C on Monday.
An amber health alert has been issued by the UK Health Security Agency which covers London, the East Midlands, South East, South West and East of England.
The warning, which is the second most serious after a red alert, started at midday today and runs until 6pm on Tuesday.
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