Holidaymakers to Turkey, Spain, Greece and Cyprus in Foreign Office warning

Daily Record

5 hours ago

Those heading to the popular hotspots have been told to be aware and to take care.
With the school holidays here, thousands of families will be preparing to jet off to sunnier climes. But they have been issued a stark warning over the current temperatures in favoured destinations.
The Foreign Office has issued advice for those heading to Spain, Greece, Turkey and Cyprus ahead of peak summer holiday season as a heatwave sweeps across Europe. And even northern Europe is experiencing high temperatures which will affect those travelling to France.
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In southern Europe the scorching temperatures are already causing issues with wildfires and local evacuations.
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In Chios, Greece, locals have been moved out after fires over the weekend.
Portugal has recently recorded it's highest temperature this year of 40.5C and in Spain there have already been temperatures of 42C, reports the Mirror.
And the French national weather agency, Meteo France, has echoed these warnings, cautioning that the high temperatures put "everyone at risk, even healthy people."
On its website, the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) has warned about extreme heat in four countries, including in Greece, where nighttime temperatures are above 30C in large parts of the country.
The FCDO has also issued heat-related warnings for Turkey, Cyprus and Spain:
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Greece: "Greece can experience extreme natural phenomena such as earthquakes, wildfires, extreme heat and flash floods.
"Take extra care when planning a hike or walk, especially during higher temperatures than you are used to. Trails often lack shade and the quality of route markings can vary.
"Do not light fires as it is both dangerous and illegal due to the high risk of wildfires."
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Turkey: "Extreme temperatures can affect many areas of Turkey over the summer months. Wildfires happen frequently in Turkey during summer."
Cyprus: "The Department of Meteorology of Cyprus issues warnings for severe weather, especially during summer. Weather can sometimes cause travel disruption."
Spain: "Temperatures in some parts of Spain can change very quickly. Take extra care when planning a hike or walk. Check local weather reports for warnings of extreme heat or cold temperatures."
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Bas Amelung, Wageningen University environmental systems analysis professor, said that popular holiday destinations loved by Brits could become unbearably hot in summers to come and could change the tourist landscape for places like Spain, Greece and Turkey among others.
He said: "Countries such as Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Turkey that currently attract the traditional 'sun and sand' summer tourists are likely to become too hot for comfort in the summer.
"People take decisions based on their perceptions," Amelung further explains. "So if a large majority of holidaymakers thinks some European destinations will soon be 'too hot', they may well start adapting, either by going somewhere else in summer or by going to the same place in another season."
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In Chios, the government declared a state of emergency following the outbreak of the fires on Sunday, leading to several villages being evacuated.
As of Tuesday, the wildfires are still raging, with hundreds of firefighters, aided by aircraft, tackling multiple blazes.
The fires have caused significant disruption, including power cuts, water shortages, and property damage.