Eiffel Tower's summit closes to visitors as Europe swelters in heatwave
Health warnings remained in effect in several countries.
The abnormally hot weather 'is exposing millions of Europeans to high heat stress' with temperatures more typical of July and August, said Samantha Burgess of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts.
Barcelona's Fabra Observatory reported an average temperature for last month of 26C, breaking records since the data began in 1914.
It said a single-day high of 37.9C for June was recorded on Monday. Barcelona is usually spared the worst heat in Spain, thanks to its location between hills and the Mediterranean.
Ramon Pascual, a delegate for Spain's weather service in Barcelona, told the Associated Press the 'very intense heatwave' is clearly linked to global warming.
Mr Pascual said inhabitants of the Mediterranean region are not being helped by the rising sea temperatures, which greatly reduce any cooling effects of a nearby body of water.
Spain's weather service said recent surface temperatures for the Mediterranean near the Balearic Islands are 5-6C higher than average.
Spain's national average for June of 23.6Celsius was 0.8C hotter than the previous hottest June in 2017.
Madrid was forecast to reach 39C.
Temperatures were forecast to reach 40C in the French capital Paris. National weather agency Meteo-France placed several departments under the highest red alert. More than 1,300 schools were partially or fully closed.
Visitors to the Eiffel Tower without tickets were told to postpone their visits as the summit was closed until Thursday for 'everyone's comfort and safety'.
Climate experts warn that future summers are likely to be hotter than any recorded to date, with temperatures exceeding 40C expected every year by 2100.
Italy's health ministry said 17 of the country's 27 major cities were experiencing a heatwave.
In Florence, where temperatures reached 38C on Tuesday, parts of the city centre experienced a blackout following a surge in electricity demand. Back-up systems restored power, energy company Enel said.
Near Bologna, the 46-year-old owner of a construction company collapsed and died while repaving a school car park, state-run RAI reported. An autopsy was being conducted but heat was suspected.
In the Dutch town of Soest, first responders said they were bringing a fire hose to an evening water gun fight.
'Bring your water pistol and swimming clothes with you, because you're guaranteed to get soaked!' the firefighters said on social media.
In Portugal, the weather service in a statement on Monday night confirmed the highest single temperature ever recorded in mainland Portugal for the month of June at 46.6C on June 29 in the town of Mora, west of Lisbon.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Rhyl Journal
28 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
Ryanair cancels 170 flights because of French air traffic control strikes
The Irish carrier said the cancellations on Thursday and Friday will affect flights to and from France, and also flights over the country to destinations such as the UK, Greece, Spain and Ireland. Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary renewed calls on EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to take 'urgent action' to reform European Union air traffic control (ATC) services in light of the disruption, which comes at the start of the European summer holidays. Mr O'Leary said: 'Once again, European families are held to ransom by French air traffic controllers going on strike. 'It is not acceptable that overflights over French airspace en route to their destination are being cancelled/delayed as a result of yet another French ATC strike. 'It makes no sense and is abundantly unfair on EU passengers and families going on holidays.' Ryanair has long-campaigned for an overhaul of ATC services across Europe. It wants the EU to ensure ATC services are fully staffed for the first wave of daily departures, as well as to protect overflights during national ATC strikes. 'These two splendid reforms would eliminate 90% of all ATC delays and cancellations, and protect EU passengers from these repeated and avoidable ATC disruptions due to yet another French ATC strike,' Mr O'Leary added. Ryanair also said on Wednesday it had been hit by the recent conflict in the Middle East, and it cancelled more than 800 flights last month. It is among those to have cancelled and rerouted flights amid the conflict between Israel and Iran, as well as continued attacks in Gaza. Last week, flights were halted at Dubai airport in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as passengers were told to expect further delays and cancellations. Ryanair said it still operated more than 109,000 flights in June, indicating that fewer than 1% of flights were affected. The Ireland-based business carried 19.9 million passengers in June, representing a 3% increase on the same month last year.
Western Telegraph
29 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
Ryanair cancels 170 flights because of French air traffic control strikes
The Irish carrier said the cancellations on Thursday and Friday will affect flights to and from France, and also flights over the country to destinations such as the UK, Greece, Spain and Ireland. Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary renewed calls on EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to take 'urgent action' to reform European Union air traffic control (ATC) services in light of the disruption, which comes at the start of the European summer holidays. Mr O'Leary said: 'Once again, European families are held to ransom by French air traffic controllers going on strike. 'It is not acceptable that overflights over French airspace en route to their destination are being cancelled/delayed as a result of yet another French ATC strike. 'It makes no sense and is abundantly unfair on EU passengers and families going on holidays.' Ryanair has long-campaigned for an overhaul of ATC services across Europe. It wants the EU to ensure ATC services are fully staffed for the first wave of daily departures, as well as to protect overflights during national ATC strikes. 'These two splendid reforms would eliminate 90% of all ATC delays and cancellations, and protect EU passengers from these repeated and avoidable ATC disruptions due to yet another French ATC strike,' Mr O'Leary added. Ryanair also said on Wednesday it had been hit by the recent conflict in the Middle East, and it cancelled more than 800 flights last month. It is among those to have cancelled and rerouted flights amid the conflict between Israel and Iran, as well as continued attacks in Gaza. Last week, flights were halted at Dubai airport in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as passengers were told to expect further delays and cancellations. Ryanair said it still operated more than 109,000 flights in June, indicating that fewer than 1% of flights were affected. The Ireland-based business carried 19.9 million passengers in June, representing a 3% increase on the same month last year.
Metro
37 minutes ago
- Metro
Ryanair cancels 170 flights due to air traffic control strikes
Air traffic control workers in France have started a two-day strike which could see delays and cancellations for Brits heading on holiday. The French Civil Aviation Authority requested that airlines cut flights by 25% at Paris airports, with more disruption requested across other parts of France. A 50% reduction was called for flights from Bastia, Calvi and Nice, and 30% for Montpellier, Ajaccio, Figari, Lyon, and Marseille. The industrial action is likely to affect flights across several airlines, with Ryanair saying they have been forced to cancel 170 flights on July 3 and 4. Ryanair's CEO Michael O'Leary said: 'Once again European families are held to ransom by French Air Traffic Controllers going on strike.' He also pointed out that flights travelling to other destination over French airspace will be affected, adding that it is 'not acceptable'. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. The boss continued: 'It makes no sense and is abundantly unfair on EU passengers and families going on holidays.' The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has also issued a warning for British travellers, stating: 'On 3 and 4 July, planned industrial action by air traffic control unions is expected to disrupt flights to and from airports across France. 'Check your operator's advice before travelling, including where you are taking connecting flights.' According to the Civil Aviation Authority, UK and EU airlines must look after you if your flight is delayed or cancelled. This includes everything from meals and accommodation to an alternative flight if necessary. Citizen's Advice says that airlines should also give impacted passengers access to phone calls and emails and, if they offer you a play to stay, organise the journeys between the hotel and the airport. Sometimes, the airline will cover this by handing you vouchers at the airport. When in doubt, keep any receipts for expenses and claim them back afterwards from the airliner. But an airline will only cough up money for 'reasonable' expenses. The hotel minibar or penthouse suites likely can't be expensed. If you didn't book with a UK or EU airline, you'll need to check their terms and conditions. Though, for the most part, airlines should provide meals and accommodation as appropriate. Whether you're eligible for the above depends on the distance of your flight and how long you have waited: For short-haul (up to 1,500km over two hours or less) you must have been waiting for two hours or more. For medium-haul (between 1,500km and 3,500km over two to four hours) it's three hours or more. For long-haul (more than 3,500km over four hours or more) it's four hours or more. If your flight is covered by UK law, you can choose between either getting your cancelled flight refunded or being booked on an alternative route. Any part of your ticket you haven't used is eligible for a refund. So, if you were on a return flight to Heathrow and the outbound leg was cancelled, you can get that part of the journey refunded. You'll typically get your money back within a week. But not everyone is up for being stuck mid-layover. If you still want to travel, your airline must find a way to get you to your destination. This can include, say, if another airliner is flying to where you need to go soon or if there's another form of transport you can take. All at no extra cost. EU regulations state that airlines don't have to pay out to passengers if the disruption was caused by 'extraordinary circumstances'. This includes 'political instability, meteorological conditions incompatible with the operation of the flight concerned, security risks, unexpected flight safety shortcomings and strikes'. While official strikes by the airline's own staff are classed as within the carrier's control, air traffic control strikes are considered to be separate from this, and are therefore not usually eligible for compensation. Check if the company you booked with is a member of ABTA, a trade association for tour operators and travel agents. It has a guide here on what you can do if your flight has been cancelled. There might be things you do end up paying for. But you might be able to claim for them afterwards. More Trending This can include unused accommodation, where you'll need to contact your credit card provider or a travel insurance firm. As much as 94% of travel insurance policies travel abandonment, only 30% include wider travel disruption, according to analysts Defaqto. Travel insurance doesn't cover any loss of earnings if the delayed or cancelled flight means you can't work. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: The 'best all-round' Greek island that gets hardly any visitors MORE: Wind-battered plane bounces while landing at 'world's most challenging airport' MORE: Migrants being 'whipped' onto dinghies amid record 20,000 Channel crossings
