Europe grapples with extreme heat, as wildfires burn homes and claim lives
Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
A NUMBER OF people have died or been injured in recent weeks amid extreme heat waves and wildfires that countries across Europe have struggled to subdue.
The fires, fueled by scorching temperatures and strong winds, have burned hundreds of hectares of land, as well as a number of homes.
A four-year-old boy died of heatstroke in
Italy
after being found unconscious in his family's car on the island of Sardinia.
The news came as Italy's health ministry issued a red alert warning for seven major cities, including Bologna and Florence.
Some 11 Italian cities are on red alert for Tuesday, and 16 cities on Wednesday.
A view from the city beach in Naples of a column of smoke from a large fire on the slopes of Vesuvius volcano
Alamy
Alamy
In north-west
Spain
, more than 1,000 people were evacuated on Sunday as wildfires spread.
One man, who was living in the suburbs of Madrid, died in hospital today from burns.
In less than 40 minutes, the fire had advanced six kilometres to the Tres Cantos neighbourhood and hundreds were forced to flee.
Further south, around 400 people were displaced from the town of Carucedo, and another 700 from several towns near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Las Medulas.
The head of the regional government of Castile and Leon, Alfonso Manueco, said experts suspect several of the blazes were set by arsonists.
Firefighters said scorching temperatures, low air humidity levels and strong winds which often changed direction were complicating their efforts to put out the flames.
A woman with a blanket in the Espacio Enrique Mas where residents of Tres Cantos who evacuated their homes spent the night
Alamy
Alamy
In
France
, one person died last week in fires that continue to plague the country's Aud department.
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The second biggest wildfire in 50 years burned an area the size of Paris in less than 24 hours.
Temperature records were broken in at least four weather stations in the south yesterday.
In the southwestern city of Bordeaux, the mercury reached 41.6 degrees Celsius at around 4pm, compared with a previous record of 41.2C on 23 July, 2019.
All-time records were also broken at weather stations in Bergerac, Cognac and Saint Girons.
The heatwave is forecast to last at least until the weekend.
A house burnt in Albas, southern France
Alamy
Alamy
In
Greece
, one person died in a large wildfire near Athens.
Dozens of people were evacuated from homes and an elderly care centre as the flames neared the coastal resort of Palea Fokea.
Firefighters later found the remains of an elderly man in a hut near Keratea.
Several parts of
the Balkans
are also tipped to climb above 40C this week, with highest temperatures expected in Serbia, Bosnia and Croatia.
Wildfires reportedly destroyed several homes in Albania, but most of the close to 40 fires have been subdued in the last 24 hours, the country's defence ministry said.
Since the start of July, nearly 34,000 hectares have been scorched in Albania, according to the European Forest Fire Information System.
A forest on fire last night in Tirana, Albania
Alamy
Alamy
Just outside the capital of neighbouring Montenegro, fire crews managed to save dozens of homes when a blaze broke out in 'extremely inaccessible terrain' yesterday.
In Croatia, around 150 firefighters also spent the night defending homes from a blaze near the port city of Split.
Police there also allege that many of the blazes have been deliberately lit, and more than 20 people have been arrested in recent weeks.
'An intentional fire is not only a crime, but a betrayal,' Prime Minister Edi Rama said in a statement.
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Irish Examiner
5 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Thousands evacuated from homes across Spain as wildfires blaze amid soaring temperatures
Almost 6,000 people have had to be evacuated from their homes in Spain as wildfires continue to burn across mainland Europe amid a heatwave that could bring temperatures of 44C. The deadly heat across large parts of the continent has created what scientists have called a 'molotov cocktail' of climatic conditions that is fuelling vast wildfires. A man caught in a blaze on Monday night in Tres Cantos, near Madrid, died in hospital after suffering 98% burns. The fire — described by the regional environment minister as having 'explosive characteristics because of a dry storm that has brought winds of more than 70km/h' — was being brought under control on Tuesday morning, with 180 people forced to evacuate and spend the night in local sports centres. In the north-western region of Castilla y León, more than 3,700 people were evacuated from 16 municipalities. Ten fires were still burning on Tuesday and the Unesco world heritage-listed Roman-era mining site at Les Médulas was damaged by the flames. In the southern town of Tarifa, firefighters and planes were still battling a fire that broke out on Monday, with 2,000 people evacuated. The blazes have led the interior ministry to declare a 'pre-emergency phase' to help coordinate emergency resources. There are currently thousands of Irish tourists holidaying in Spain. Darragh Joyce and his partner, Rebecca have just returned home to Limerick from their honeymoon in Seville, where they said temperatures hit 41C. 'We were kind of ducking in and out, we didn't stay out in it too long. Every kind of café, bar or restaurant has mist sprinklers. As the day went on, there was no cool-down. 'We just got away with it and maybe got home in good time. The plane home, they send you out to the runway and you're left standing there for 15 minutes, I found that really tough, under the heat, just totally out in the open.' In neighbouring Portugal, firefighters were battling three large wildfires in the centre and north of the country. Morocco is sending two aircraft to help fight the fires after two Portuguese planes broke down. In Italy, where temperatures of 40C are expected in Florence later this week, a four-year-old boy died of heatstroke, and a red alert warning was issued for seven major cities, including Bologna and Florence. The boy had been found unconscious in the family's car in Sardinia and was airlifted to a Rome hospital, but died on Monday of irreversible brain damage. In southern France, temperature records were broken in at least four weather stations, as the government called for vigilance. The south-western city of Bordeaux hit a record 41.6C, while all-time records were broken at meteorological stations in Bergerac, Cognac and Saint Girons, according to the national weather service, Météo France. The heatwave, France's second this summer, began on Friday and was forecast to last until about August 19 or 20. On Monday, 12 French departments were placed on red alert, the highest heat warning, with four more expected on Tuesday. Meanwhile in Ireland, temperatures are set to hit nearly 30C today, while a thunderstorm warning will be in place between 3pm and 9pm, in Clare, Kerry and Limerick.
The Journal
9 hours ago
- The Journal
Europe grapples with extreme heat, as wildfires burn homes and claim lives
Civil Protection members helps Stamatina (86) and her daughter Eleftheria during a fire in Keratea on the outskirts of Athens on Friday. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo A NUMBER OF people have died or been injured in recent weeks amid extreme heat waves and wildfires that countries across Europe have struggled to subdue. The fires, fueled by scorching temperatures and strong winds, have burned hundreds of hectares of land, as well as a number of homes. A four-year-old boy died of heatstroke in Italy after being found unconscious in his family's car on the island of Sardinia. The news came as Italy's health ministry issued a red alert warning for seven major cities, including Bologna and Florence. Some 11 Italian cities are on red alert for Tuesday, and 16 cities on Wednesday. A view from the city beach in Naples of a column of smoke from a large fire on the slopes of Vesuvius volcano Alamy Alamy In north-west Spain , more than 1,000 people were evacuated on Sunday as wildfires spread. One man, who was living in the suburbs of Madrid, died in hospital today from burns. In less than 40 minutes, the fire had advanced six kilometres to the Tres Cantos neighbourhood and hundreds were forced to flee. Further south, around 400 people were displaced from the town of Carucedo, and another 700 from several towns near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Las Medulas. The head of the regional government of Castile and Leon, Alfonso Manueco, said experts suspect several of the blazes were set by arsonists. Firefighters said scorching temperatures, low air humidity levels and strong winds which often changed direction were complicating their efforts to put out the flames. A woman with a blanket in the Espacio Enrique Mas where residents of Tres Cantos who evacuated their homes spent the night Alamy Alamy In France , one person died last week in fires that continue to plague the country's Aud department. Advertisement The second biggest wildfire in 50 years burned an area the size of Paris in less than 24 hours. Temperature records were broken in at least four weather stations in the south yesterday. In the southwestern city of Bordeaux, the mercury reached 41.6 degrees Celsius at around 4pm, compared with a previous record of 41.2C on 23 July, 2019. All-time records were also broken at weather stations in Bergerac, Cognac and Saint Girons. The heatwave is forecast to last at least until the weekend. A house burnt in Albas, southern France Alamy Alamy In Greece , one person died in a large wildfire near Athens. Dozens of people were evacuated from homes and an elderly care centre as the flames neared the coastal resort of Palea Fokea. Firefighters later found the remains of an elderly man in a hut near Keratea. Several parts of the Balkans are also tipped to climb above 40C this week, with highest temperatures expected in Serbia, Bosnia and Croatia. Wildfires reportedly destroyed several homes in Albania, but most of the close to 40 fires have been subdued in the last 24 hours, the country's defence ministry said. Since the start of July, nearly 34,000 hectares have been scorched in Albania, according to the European Forest Fire Information System. A forest on fire last night in Tirana, Albania Alamy Alamy Just outside the capital of neighbouring Montenegro, fire crews managed to save dozens of homes when a blaze broke out in 'extremely inaccessible terrain' yesterday. In Croatia, around 150 firefighters also spent the night defending homes from a blaze near the port city of Split. Police there also allege that many of the blazes have been deliberately lit, and more than 20 people have been arrested in recent weeks. 'An intentional fire is not only a crime, but a betrayal,' Prime Minister Edi Rama said in a statement. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Journal
a day ago
- The Journal
Pope's general audience moved indoors due to heatwave as France sets new temperature records
LAST UPDATE | 5 mins ago THE VATICAN HAS announced that Pope Leo XIV's general audience will be moved indoors this coming Wednesday due to high temperatures. Most Wednesday mornings, the Pope gives a general audience to pilgrims at the Vatican in Rome. It's not a Mass, but is instead a reflection on a piece of religious scripture. The audience begins with a short reading, a homily based on the reading, and then the Pope will offer a blessing to all who are present or following online. This coming Wednesday, it will be moved to the Paul VI Audience Hall, which is located next to St Peter's Square. It can hold around 6,300 people, though the general audience will still be broadcast on the big screens set up in St Peter's Square. The late Pope Francis attends a general audience in the Paul VI Hall on 3 January 2024, when it was moved indoors due to cold weather Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Afterwards, Pope Leo go into St Peter's Basilica to greet those who could not find a place in the Hall and followed the audience on the screens in the Square. Rome is enduring a heat wave this week and temperatures in the city are expected to reach 38 degrees on Wednesday. Elsewhere in Italy, a four-year-old Romanian boy died days after being found unconscious in the family's car in Sardinia. The boy was airlifted to a Rome hospital but died of irreversible brain damage. The news came as Italy's health ministry issued a red alert warning for seven major cities, including Bologna and Florence. Some 11 Italian cities are on red alert for Tuesday, and 16 cities on Wednesday, while around 190 firefighters and the army continue to tackle a wildfire on Mount Vesuvius that caused the closure of the national park to tourists. France Meanwhile, records were broken at four weather stations in southern France today. Large parts of France baked in a new summer heatwave today and the government called for vigilance. In the southwestern city of Bordeaux, the mercury reached 41.6 degrees at around 4:00 pm, compared with a previous record of 41.2C on 23 July, 2019. All-time records were also broken at meteorological stations in Bergerac, Cognac and Saint Girons, according to the national weather service, Meteo France. 'The maximum temperatures could rise further,' Patrick Galois, a forecaster at Meteo France, told reporters. A temperature of 41C was also recorded in the cities of Toulouse and Carcassonne. The heatwave, the country's second this summer, began on Friday and was forecast to last at least until the weekend, though it could extend into next week. Advertisement Today, 12 French departments were placed on red alert, the country's highest heat warning, and the national weather service said it was placing four more departments on red alert from midday tomorrow. Forty-one other departments were under lower-level orange alerts, as was the neighbouring microstate of Andorra, between France and Spain. The French public health agency called for vigilance, urging people to stay hydrated and avoid alcohol and coffee. Spain Elsewhere, firefighters in northwestern Spain struggled on today to contain a wildfire that damaged a Roman-era mining site and forced hundreds of residents to evacuate. The firefighting effort faced 'many difficulties' due to high temperatures and winds of up to 40 kilometres per hour. Around 700 people remained displaced and four people, including two firefighters, suffered minor injuries. The blaze broke out on yesterday near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Las Medulas, a Roman gold-mining area famed for its striking red landscape in northwestern Spain. UNESCO describes the site as 'unquestionably the best preserved and most representative of all the mining areas of the Greco-Roman world in classical times.' Burned field in the area of Las Medulas, considered a World Heritage Site. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Spain has been in the grip of a heatwave for the past week, with temperatures nearing 40 degrees in many areas and fuelling wildfires. The northwestern Castile and Leon region alone has seen 13 fires in the past three days, some were believed to have been deliberately started. In neighbouring Portugal, firefighters were battling three large wildfires in the centre and north of the country. The largest, near the town of Trancoso, has been burning since Saturday and is being battled by more than 650 firefighters backed by six aircraft. Record highs across Hungary Elsewhere, Bosnia's southern city of Mostar reached 43C, while Croatia's Dubrovnik hit 34C in the morning. In Serbia, farmers on the Suva Planina mountain renewed appeals for emergency water supplies for livestock after streams and ponds dried up. In Bulgaria, temperatures were expected to exceed 40C Monday on Monday, with maximum fire danger alerts in place. Nearly 200 fires have been reported; most have been brought under control, localised and extinguished, but the situation remains 'very challenging', said Alexander Dzhartov, head of the national fire safety unit. In Turkey, a wildfire fuelled by high temperatures and strong winds forced authorities to evacuate holiday homes and a university campus and to suspend maritime traffic in the country's north west. Sunday brought a new national high of 39.9C on Sunday in the south east of Hungary, breaking a record set in 1948. Budapest also recorded a city record at 38.7C. Authorities imposed a nationwide fire ban amid extreme heat and drought. -With additional reporting from © AFP 2025 and Press Association Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
