Southern Europe is being scorched by a deadly heatwave with temperatures reaching up to 44°C, as scientists warn of a “Molotov cocktail” of climate conditions fueling massive wildfires across the Mediterranean.
Meteo-France placed more than half of the country under heatwave alerts on Monday morning, with 12 out of 96 departments in mainland France under the highest red alert. In Spain, Aemet issued an “extreme risk” warning for Zaragoza and the Basque Country, alongside heat alerts for almost the entire nation.
Both meteorological agencies forecast temperatures above 40°C in the coming days, warning of a “very intense, even extraordinary” heatwave in parts of the continent.
The soaring heat has raised serious concerns among experts, while firefighters battle devastating wildfires.
France: Authorities reported the country’s largest fire since 1949 was brought under control on Sunday. One person died in the blaze, while 20 firefighters and five civilians were injured.
Italy: With 40°C temperatures expected in Florence by Wednesday, tourist trails on Mount Vesuvius were closed Sunday as firefighters fought a blaze on the volcano’s slopes.
Spain: Fires that broke out Sunday in León and Zamora forced over 1,000 residents to evacuate, while major wildfires continued to rage in Galicia.
