Europe boils under unprecedented heatwave, fires rage, schools shut; Spain hits blistering 46°C

An extreme heat wave is sweeping across Europe, bringing record temperatures, health warnings, school closures, and fires. In France, 84 out of 96 departments are under an orange heat alert, the second-highest level, and classes have been suspended in about 200 schools. The French climate minister described the situation as 'unprecedented.'

Spain and Portugal have also recorded heat records: 46.6 degrees in the town of Mora in Portugal and 46 degrees in Andalusia, Spain. In both countries, the hottest weekend ever recorded for June has been documented. Other countries experiencing severe heat stress include Italy (where 21 cities are on maximum alert, including Rome, Venice, and Milan), Germany (forecast to reach 38 degrees), Britain (34 degrees), and the Balkan countries, where new temperature records have been set, such as 42 degrees in Skopje, Macedonia, and 38.8 degrees in Sarajevo.

The heat has also led to the outbreak of fires: in France, residents were evacuated due to fires in the Corbières mountain range, in Turkey about 20 houses were destroyed in Sefarhisar, and in Greece homes were burned in towns near Athens. Severe warnings have also been issued in Croatia. Hospitals across Italy reported a 10% increase in heatstroke cases.