Latest news with #Feuerwehr
The National
02-07-2025
- Climate
- The National
Europe's heatwave: Temperature hits 40°C in Germany
Germany was on Wednesday facing its hottest day of the year with temperatures set to reach 40°C, as Europe continues to be gripped by extreme heat. High temperature records, school closures and an increased risk of wildfire have all featured in the heatwave across Europe this week. It is now the world's fastest-warming continent, heating up at twice the global rate, according to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service, with extreme heatwaves starting earlier in the year and persisting for longer. Tens of thousands of people have died in Europe during past heatwaves, prompting authorities to issue weather warnings for old and young, the sick and others vulnerable to what experts call a "silent killer". A hot weather front known as Bettina in Germany is expected to leave most of the country sweltering on Wednesday, with only the coast and mountains spared. The German Weather Service (DWD) is warning of an increased risk of forest fires due to the high temperatures as well as gale force winds coming off the back of thunderstorms. "It is quite possible that we will locally reach 40°C," a DWD spokesman said. Spain has confirmed it has experienced its hottest June on record. Firefighters in the Catalonia region have found two bodies after a blaze in the north-east of the country, which is currently experiencing a severe heatwave. The blaze in Torrefeta destroyed several farms and affected an area stretching for about 40km, official said. "The fire was extremely violent and erratic due to storms and strong winds, generating a convection cloud that complicated extinguishing efforts," the fire service said. In Barcelona, authorities are looking into whether the death of a street sweeper at the weekend was heat-related. Italy issued red alerts for 18 cities because of the extreme heat, as the danger of working outside in searing heat is being blamed for the death of a construction worker near the city of Bologna. Parts of Italy have now banned outdoor work during the warmest hours. The historic city of Florence was expected to bear the brunt of Wednesday's heat, with a top temperature of 39°C during the afternoon. There was a risk of violent and sudden rainstorms, particularly along the central Apennine mountain region, and for Sardinia and Sicily. The top floor of the Eiffel Tower closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, disappointing scores of visitors. When temperatures rise, the puddled iron used to build the tower expands and tilts slightly, with no impact on structural integrity, its website says. Laia Pons, 42, a teacher from Barcelona who booked Eiffel tickets for her family three years ago, said: "I tried to get all organised before our departure and the result is nonsense." Susana Leivonen, 45, from Finland, said her family were planning to brave the Paris heat and had come prepared with water and sun lotion. "We woke up as early as possible to get out as early as possible, so we can rest during the afternoon,' she said. Weather forecaster Meteo France said red alerts remained for several areas of the centre of the country but the heat was easing in the west. Intense thunderstorms with possible heavy bursts of rain were expected in many parts of the east. Temperature were expected to peak at around 39°C, with up to 34°C in Paris, and 36°C to 3°8C in Strasbourg, Lyon, Grenoble and Avignon. The scorching temperatures have raised the risk of field fires as farmers in France, the EU's largest grain producer, start harvesting this year's crop, with many working through the night to avoid peak afternoon temperatures.
The National
02-07-2025
- Climate
- The National
Europe's heatwave: Temperature his 40°C in Germany
Germany was on Wednesday facing its hottest day of the year with temperatures set to reach 40°C, as Europe continues to be gripped by extreme heat. High temperature records, school closures and an increased risk of wildfire have all featured in the heatwave across Europe this week. It is now the world's fastest-warming continent, heating up at twice the global rate, according to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service, with extreme heatwaves starting earlier in the year and persisting for longer. Tens of thousands of people have died in Europe during past heatwaves, prompting authorities to issue weather warnings for old and young, the sick and others vulnerable to what experts call a "silent killer". A hot weather front known as Bettina in Germany is expected to leave most of the country sweltering on Wednesday, with only the coast and mountains spared. The German Weather Service (DWD) is warning of an increased risk of forest fires due to the high temperatures as well as gale force winds coming off the back of thunderstorms. "It is quite possible that we will locally reach 40°C," a DWD spokesman said. Spain has confirmed it has experienced its hottest June on record. Firefighters in the Catalonia region have found two bodies after a blaze in the north-east of the country, which is currently experiencing a severe heatwave. The blaze in Torrefeta destroyed several farms and affected an area stretching for about 40km, official said. "The fire was extremely violent and erratic due to storms and strong winds, generating a convection cloud that complicated extinguishing efforts," the fire service said. In Barcelona, authorities are looking into whether the death of a street sweeper at the weekend was heat-related. Italy issued red alerts for 18 cities because of the extreme heat, as the danger of working outside in searing heat is being blamed for the death of a construction worker near the city of Bologna. Parts of Italy have now banned outdoor work during the warmest hours. The historic city of Florence was expected to bear the brunt of Wednesday's heat, with a top temperature of 39°C during the afternoon. There was a risk of violent and sudden rainstorms, particularly along the central Apennine mountain region, and for Sardinia and Sicily. The top floor of the Eiffel Tower closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, disappointing scores of visitors. When temperatures rise, the puddled iron used to build the tower expands and tilts slightly, with no impact on structural integrity, its website says. Laia Pons, 42, a teacher from Barcelona who booked Eiffel tickets for her family three years ago, said: "I tried to get all organised before our departure and the result is nonsense." Susana Leivonen, 45, from Finland, said her family were planning to brave the Paris heat and had come prepared with water and sun lotion. "We woke up as early as possible to get out as early as possible, so we can rest during the afternoon,' she said. Weather forecaster Meteo France said red alerts remained for several areas of the centre of the country but the heat was easing in the west. Intense thunderstorms with possible heavy bursts of rain were expected in many parts of the east. Temperature were expected to peak at around 39°C, with up to 34°C in Paris, and 36°C to 3°8C in Strasbourg, Lyon, Grenoble and Avignon. The scorching temperatures have raised the risk of field fires as farmers in France, the EU's largest grain producer, start harvesting this year's crop, with many working through the night to avoid peak afternoon temperatures.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Munich's famous river surfing spot closed after accident
Munich's fire department has closed the Eisbachwelle, a famous wave in the city center attracts local and international surfers and crowds of onlookers. In a post on X, the fire department said that Saturday's closure was necessary to carry out further investigations. "A danger to surfers cannot be ruled out," it said. "!!Do not enter !!" ❌ #Eisbachwelle gesperrt ❌Aufgrund des schweren Surfunfalles sind weitere Untersuchungen notwendig!Eine Gefahr für die Surfer kann nicht ausgeschlossen werden. Die #Feuerwehr hat den Bereich abgesperrt und mit Schildern gekennzeichnet. ‼ Betreten verboten ‼#WirFürMünchen — Feuerwehr München (@BFMuenchen) April 19, 2025 The area has been cordoned off and marked with signs. It is not known how long the wave will be closed. The closure comes after the dramatic rescue of a surfer late on Wednesday evening. The surfer fell from her board and her leash, which attaches a surfboard to a surfer's leg, apparently became hooked on the bottom of the Eisbach river. Bystanders were unable to free her because of the strong current. After 30 minutes in the river, she was rescued by fire officials and reanimated on the river bank. She was taken to hospital in a critical condition, according to a fire department press release. The Eisbachwelle is a tourist hotspot, attracting surfers and crowds from around the world in all weather, even in winter. The artificial wave of around 0.5 meters (1.6 feet) is generated where the Eisbach hits a concrete step as it emerges from underground. The wave takes skill to surf because of the river's strong current and shallow water. Edited by: Louis Oelofse
