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Photos of European heatwave show a stark juxtaposition: Beachgoers flocked to the ocean to cool off as smoke from nearby fires billow behind them

Two men stand in a public sprinkler.
Two men cool themselves with water from a public sprinkler on a hot and sunny day in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, July 16, 2022.

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.

Scores of people sit at a beach in Spain.
People cool off in the water on a hot and sunny day at the beach in Barcelona, Spain, Friday, July 15, 2022.

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.

Two firefighters stand in front of a blaze.
Firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire next to the village of Tabara, near Zamora, northern Spain, on July 18, 2022.

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.

Children play in a fountain.
Children play in the water of a fountain, as the air temperature exceed 42 degrees Celsius, in Nantes, on July 18, 2022

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.

A child dives headfirst into the Canal St. Martin in Paris.
Kids jump from a bridge to swim in the Canal St Martin, during a heatwave in Paris, Monday, July 18, 2022.

But wildfires across France darkened some beachgoers’ day.

Smoke sits in the backdrop of beachgoers in France.
This photograph taken on July 18, 2022 shows people swim on the Moulleau’s beach as the smoke rising from the forest fire in La Teste-de-Buch, seen from Arcachon, in front of the Pilat dune.

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.

A man uses a newspaper to cool himself while on the tube.
A man uses a newspaper as a fan whilst travelling on the Bakerloo line in central London during the heatwave.

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.

A police officer pours water into the mouth of a British soldier outside Buckingham Palace.
A police officer givers water to a British soldier wearing a traditional bearskin hat, on guard duty outside Buckingham Palace, during hot weather in London, Monday, July 18, 2022.

The UK Meteorological Service issued an extreme temperature warning and predicted that Tuesday could see even higher temps.

A woman uses a portable fan to keep cool.
A woman use portable fan as heatwave hits London, United Kingdom on July 18, 2022.

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.

Swimmers sit in a pool.
Swimmers soak up the sun at Charlton Lido in south east London, as parts of England experience heatwave conditions, with the Met Office issuing a red extreme heat warning.

The UK Meteorological Service said blazing temperatures are expected to drop overnight into Wednesday by several degrees.

Two people stand under an umbrella in the heat.
Two people under an umbrella in London’s Regents Park during the heatwave.

Read the original article on Insider

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