Photos of European heatwave show a stark juxtaposition: Beachgoers flocked to the ocean to cool off as smoke from nearby fires billow behind them
AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti
- Europe is battling an unprecedented heatwave and several blazing wildfires.
- Spain, France, and the UK have recorded temperatures in the 100s this week.
- More than 1,100 people in Spain and Portugal have died from heat-related causes in the last week.
Several countries across Western Europe are battling scorching temperatures this week amid a brutal heatwave and raging wildfires.
France, Greece, and Italy have been hit with scorching temperatures as massive blazes tear through the land. Meanwhile, the UK recorded unprecedented temperatures on Monday as the country took drastic steps to protect its infrastructure and people’s lives.
More than 1,100 people in Spain and Portugal have died from heat-related causes in the last week and experts worry the extreme weather could last multiple weeks in certain areas as climbing temperatures break several records.
People in Spain flocked to open waters over the weekend to keep cool.
AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti
The country has already recorded 360 heat-related deaths, according to the Carlos III Health Institute.
Spain’s northern region recorded temperatures approaching 108 degrees Fahrenheit this week.
Meanwhile, wildfires have engulfed much of Central and Northern Spain.
Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images
The central region of Castile and Léon, as well as the northern region of Galicia, were hit with blazes on Sunday, according to Reuters.
Firefighters in the southeastern Málaga province had stabilized fires over the weekend and are allowing people who evacuated to return.
Children in France sought reprieve from the heat in cold fountains.
Photo by LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images
Weather experts predicted that France, which has battled a particularly hot summer thus far, could break monthly minimum temperature records on Monday.
The country urged residents to avoid going outside during daytime as temperatures climbed in the high 100s this week.
Young Parisians jumped headfirst into the city’s canals to cool down.
AP Photo/Lewis Joly
But wildfires across France darkened some beachgoers’ day.
Photo by THIBAUD MORITZ/AFP via Getty Images
More than 30,000 people in have been forced to evacuate in recent days as two massive wildfires blazed through nearly 60 square miles in southwestern France.
About 1,700 firefighters from the country have been stationed in the Gironde region, according to The New York Times, to try to quell the flames.
The challenge has grown increasingly difficult amid climbing temperatures and powerful wind gusts, the outlet reported.
Extreme heat across Britain on Monday neared record-breaking temperatures.
Photo by Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty Images
The country is vastly unprepared for sky-high temperatures in the low 100s, where many homes are not equipped with air conditioners.
Train services in some cities were canceled while Britain’s Air Force halted flights as a “preventative measure,” citing concerns about melting tar on the runway.
Even a British soldier outside Buckingham Palace took a break to sip some water.
Photo by Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty Images
The UK Meteorological Service issued an extreme temperature warning and predicted that Tuesday could see even higher temps.
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The highest recorded temperature in Britain was 38.7 degrees Celsius, or about 102 degrees Fahrenheit, which was set on July 25, 2019.
Forecasters predict that record could be beat come Tuesday.
Outdoor pools across the country drew over-heated Brits seeking a cool dip.
Photo by Dominic Lipinski/PA Images via Getty Images
The UK Meteorological Service said blazing temperatures are expected to drop overnight into Wednesday by several degrees.
Photo by Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty Images
