A severe heat wave has engulfed much of Europe, with record-high temperatures reported across several countries. The extreme weather has prompted health warnings and concerns over wildfires.
Heat warnings have been issued for parts of Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, and the UK, with new highs expected on Wednesday before rain brings some respite to affected areas. Temperatures soared as high as 42 degrees Celsius (108F) in Seville, Spain, prompting UN Secretary-General António Guterres to call for action against climate change.
Dr. Hans Kluge, head of the World Health Organization’s Europe office, warned that the heat poses a significant threat to vulnerable populations, including older adults, children, and those with chronic health conditions.
The heat wave has pushed temperatures above 104 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas, sparking wildfires and emergency responses. In France, misting stations were deployed along the River Seine to help care for homeless and elderly people without air conditioning. Forest fires broke out in southern Italy and Turkey, forcing evacuations and airport closures.
In Germany, authorities took measures to conserve water, while elephants at the Berlin zoo were cooled with blocks of ice containing fruit. The heat wave has highlighted the need for urgent action against climate change, as Dr. Kluge emphasized.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/heat-wave-europe-turkey-france-spain-portugal-italy-09dd232d0664360f03d29fff2cd7c8d4