The blistering heat has sparked wildfires in several countries. In France, fires broke out in the Corbières mountains, prompting evacuations and the closure of a major motorway
By Owoseni Martins
France has placed a record 84 out of 96 mainland regions under orange alert as an intense heatwave continues to grip much of Europe.
Authorities across the continent have issued emergency warnings, shut schools, and urged residents to stay indoors amid dangerously high temperatures.
France’s Climate Minister, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, described the situation as “unprecedented,” with the country experiencing one of its most severe heat episodes in recent years.
Nearly 200 schools have been closed or partially shut, and emergency services are on high alert.
Neighbouring countries are also battling the extreme weather. Spain and Portugal both recorded their hottest June days over the weekend, with 46°C registered in Andalucía’s El Granado on Saturday and 46.6°C in Mora, central Portugal, on Sunday.
The blistering heat has sparked wildfires in several countries. In France, fires broke out in the Corbières mountains, prompting evacuations and the closure of a major motorway.
In Turkey, firefighters continue to battle hundreds of wildfires, including one near the resort city of Izmir that destroyed around 20 homes.
In Italy, 21 cities, including Rome, Milan, and Venice, are under the highest heat alert. Emergency departments have reported a 10% rise in heatstroke cases, according to the Italian Society of Emergency Medicine.
In Germany, temperatures could approach 38°C mid-week, with the heatwave already lowering water levels in the Rhine River, disrupting shipping and increasing freight costs.
Eastern and southern European countries are similarly affected. Bosnia’s capital, Sarajevo, recorded a record 38.8°C, while North Macedonia’s capital, Skopje, reached 42°C on Friday. Serbia also reported its hottest day on record last Wednesday.
In Greece, towns near Athens were recently engulfed in wildfires, forcing evacuations, while Croatia and the Balkans continue to experience scorching heat, although temperatures have slightly eased in some areas.
The heat is impacting health, infrastructure, and the environment. In Seville, 21-year-old Anabel Sanchez told Reuters, “I can’t sleep well, I have insomnia. I get heat strokes, I stop eating and I just can’t focus.”
Meanwhile, climate experts warn the situation is likely to worsen. According to the UN, human-induced climate change is making extreme heat events more frequent and more intense. UN human rights chief Volker Türk said the crisis threatens basic rights including life, health, and access to a clean environment.
Professor Richard Allan of the University of Reading explained that rising greenhouse gases are trapping more heat, intensifying heatwaves and drying soils faster.
As Europe braces for more days of extreme heat, the crisis serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for climate adaptation and a transition away from fossil fuels.
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