Europe battles deadly heatwaves and wildfires as temperatures soar

Europe continues to grapple with extreme heat and widespread wildfires as record-breaking temperatures fuel blazes across several countries, prompting evacuations, health warnings and extensive firefighting operations.

According to climate data, June was the hottest month ever recorded in Europe in the 174-year history of temperature monitoring. The continent is again facing intense heat after more than 61,600 heat-related deaths were recorded across 35 European countries last year, alongside devastating wildfires.

Meteorologists have warned that temperatures this year could surpass Europe’s current record of 48.8°C, set in Sicily in August 2021.

Several countries have reported significant wildfire outbreaks in recent weeks.

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In Croatia, firefighters battled bushfires near the coastal town of Šibenik before responding to additional blazes south of the historic city of Dubrovnik.

France recorded multiple wildfires in regions including Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie, Grand Est, Bouches-du-Rhône and Corsica. Firefighters also responded to a blaze near Nice International Airport in the municipalities of Cagnes-sur-Mer and Villeneuve-Loubet.

Greece has experienced some of the most severe fires, with thousands of residents and tourists evacuated from the island of Rhodes after flames threatened coastal resorts. Additional evacuations were carried out on Corfu, while fires also affected Evia, Aigio and parts of mainland Greece, where two people lost their lives. Although several fires had subsided by late July, authorities warned that the risk of new outbreaks remained high.

In Italy, wildfires spread across parts of Calabria and Sicily, where three elderly people died. Firefighters also continued efforts to contain fires burning in the hills surrounding Palermo.

Portugal brought a wildfire in the mountainous Cascais region under control after intensive firefighting operations, although crews remained on site to prevent flare-ups.

Russia reported destructive wildfires in the Urals region, where one woman died and two others were injured after fires swept through the village of Shaidurikha near Yekaterinburg.

Spain battled major fires on the island of La Palma, where more than 4,000 people were evacuated and approximately 2,900 hectares of land were burned before the blaze was contained. Another wildfire on Gran Canaria scorched about 400 hectares of woodland before stabilising.

In Switzerland, authorities ordered evacuations from several mountain villages in the Valais canton after a forest fire spread across the mountainside near the Italian border. Firefighters continued efforts to bring the blaze fully under control.

Turkey also experienced multiple wildfires, with outbreaks reported in Hatay, Mersin and Çanakkale provinces. Another fire near the Mediterranean resort town of Kemer in Antalya Province destroyed around 120 hectares of woodland.

Authorities across Europe continue to urge residents to observe fire safety precautions and heed evacuation orders as prolonged hot and dry conditions increase the risk of further wildfires.