Europe heatwave live: EU sends firefighters to Greece as new evacuation orders issued

Firefighting aircraft and ground crews from other countries are set to arrive in Greece to help battle wildfires that have intensified as a heatwave baked much of southern Europe in temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius.

Firefighting teams from Poland, Romania and Slovakia are due in Greece today, with Israel pledging to send two firefighting planes adding to the four from Italy and France already operating outside Athens.

New evacuations were ordered yesterday as wildfires continued to rage near Athens for the third day, while authorities brace for a new heatwave stoking tinderbox conditions across the country.

Dozens of homes were gutted in towns west of Athens, while the fire brigade reported that a third fire had broken out on the island of Rhodes.

Thousands have also been evacuated in the Canary Islands and Switzerland in recent days, as southern Europe is gripped by ongoing wildfires and extreme heat caused by the fossil-fuel-driven climate crisis.

Temperature records were shattered in Rome and Catalonia, with most of Italy’s big cities placed under a red alert.

Key Points

• Brits travelling to Europe given updated travel advice during extreme heat

• Italy braces for record-breaking heat as temperatures set to soar to 48C

• WMO warns of risk of heart attacks and deaths as heatwave intensifies

• Wildfires threaten seaside homes outside Greek capital after heatwave

• Heatwave ‘likely to continue into August’, says UN

In pictures: Tourists cool off at Rome’s Trevi Fountain

11:21 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

World unlikely to limit temperature rise to 2C, warns climate scientist

11:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A leading climate scientist has said he is “very pessimistic” about the world reducing emissions to limit the global average temperature to 2C above pre-industrial levels.

Professor Robert Watson, of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change, told the Today Programme that failure to do so will result in more heatwaves, floods, sea level rise, crop failure and health problems.

Almost every country on Earth signed up to the Paris Agreement in 2015 to limit global temperature rise to 1.5C but if not, at the very least 2C.

Eight years later, emissions continue to rise and current policies have us on track for around 2.5C of warming by the end of the century, according to Prof Watson.

Many countries including the UK have made pledges to go net zero - balancing the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere with those absorbed - but most are several decades away from achieving that.

The UK has committed to going net zero by 2050 but Prof Watson, who has been chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and scientific adviser to the UK and US governments, said current emissions need to be slashed in half before 2030 to have any chance of reaching the Paris goals.

He said: “I think most people fear that if we give up on the 1.5C, which I do not believe we will achieve - in fact I’m very pessimistic about achieving even 2C - but if we allow the target to become looser and looser, higher and higher, governments will do even less in the future.

“We need to try and hold governments to start to act sensibly now and reduce emissions. But even governments with a really good target, like the United Kingdom, don’t have the policies in place, don’t have the financing in place to reach those goals.”

Scientists have warned that allowing the global average temperature to reach 1.5C could trigger irreversible tipping points that would heat the Earth beyond our control to unpredictable and dangerous levels.

What is the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke?

10:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

In recent years, climate change and rising global temperatures have triggered record-breaking heatwaves across the world - with the latest forecast showing an increase in temperatures across southern Europe this week.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has warned that Italy, Spain, France, Germany and Poland may see extreme conditions.

The impact of the heatwave has already led to raging wildfires in Spain which has prompted evacuations.

Greece has also shut down the ancient Acropolis during the hottest part of the day, while Italy has issued hot weather red alerts for many major cities.

What is the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke?

Europe heatwave: Simon Calder outlines holidaymakers’ cancellation rights during record-breaking temperatures

09:36 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Simon Calder has outlined holidaymakers’ cancellation rights if they do not wish to travel in record-breaking temperatures across Europe.

It comes after the Foreign Office (FCDO) issued a warning for people travelling to Spain, Italy and Greece, that extreme temperarures are affecting these regions.

FCDO officials advised travellers to check information on hottest areas and to seek advice on how to take care in the heat.

If holidaymakers decide not to travel due to the heat normal terms and conditions apply and they will not be able to cancel without penalty, The Independent travel correspondent explained.

Simon Calder outlines cancellation rights for holidays during Europe heatwave

How long is the heatwave in Europe expected to last?

08:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has forecast the heatwave should intensify by mid-week, with a spokeswoman telling The Independent the “above normal temperatures” of the past week are expected to continue over the next week.

Ele Hands, Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, similarly told The Independent the heatwave across southern Europe and northern Africa is expected to “persist and slowly intensify” throughout the coming week, with the focus gradually moving towards southeast Europe. The forecaster said many parts of Greece, Turkey, southern Spain, and Italy and its surrounding islands are set to reach temperatures as high as 45C.

How long is the heatwave in Europe expected to last?

Wildfires in Greece largely contained as new heatwave looms

08:02 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Wildfires across Greece were largely contained on Thursday after razing swathes of forest and dozens of homes for days, though a new heatwave loomed, threatening to stoke tinderbox conditions across the country.

A fire west of Athens which prompted mass evacuations earlier in the week was contained, a fire brigade official said. Firefighters, backed with air water bombers, remained on site in case of a resurgence of flames.

On the island of Rhodes, firefighters continued to battle a blaze that had erupted in a densely wooded mountainous area and forced people to flee.

Greek meteorological service had warned of a heightened risk of fires from Thursday, as the country recovered from the first major heatwave of the summer.

A second heatwave was forecast to start on Thursday, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in some areas, and rising further on Friday to a maximum of 44C.

Land and aerial firefighting forces will continue preventive patrolling in forests across Greece amid difficult conditions, authorities said late on Wednesday.

Fires are common in Greece, but hotter, drier and windy summers have turned the Mediterranean into a wildfire hotspot in recent years.

Why is there no UK heatwave as Europe swelters during Charon?

07:38 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A deadly heatwave sweeping across Europe with temperatures forecast to shatter records in the coming days stands in complete contrast to the weather faced by the United Kingdom.

The Mediterranean region grapples with soaring heat that could touch a new European record as soon as this week.

Temperatures are expected to go beyond 40C in parts of Spain and Italy in the coming days.

Spain, Italy and Greece have been experiencing scorching temperatures for several days already, damaging agriculture and leaving tourists scurrying for shade.

Why is there no UK heatwave as Europe swelters during Charon?

Europe is the fastest-heating continent in the world due to climate crisis

07:30 , Stuti Mishra

Amid blistering heatwaves this year and last, concerns over the rapid warming of Europe due to the climate crisis have mounted.

Europe is the fastest-heating continent in the world, according to a report published this year by the World Meteorological Organisation and the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service.

The continent has been heating twice as fast as the global average for the last four decades.

2023 is set to be hottest on record

07:15 , Stuti Mishra

This year is set to be the hottest on record for Earth, scientists said, amid blistering heatwaves across the northern hemisphere and global temperature records being shattered one after another.

An analysis published by Berkley Earth in July found there to be a more than 80 per cent chance of 2023 being the hottest year on record.

Read more:

2023 is set to be hottest on record amid global heatwaves, scientists say

How long is the heatwave in Europe expected to last?

07:00 , Stuti Mishra

Europe is set to continue to bake under extreme heat for weeks as global temperatures soar towards alarming highs with records expected to be broken.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has forecast the heatwave should intensify by mid-week, with a spokeswoman telling The Independent the “above normal temperatures” of the past week are expected to continue over the next week.

My colleague Tara Cobham has more:

How long is the heatwave in Europe expected to last?

Watch: Greek police free dog from garden as wildfires rage close to Athens

06:35 , Stuti Mishra

Greek police kicked open a gate to a free a dog that was threatened by approaching wildfire.

The dog was trapped in a garden in Mandra, a town on the outskirts of Athens, but police managed to free it from behind a locked gate.

“We do not leave animals helpless, tethered or caged... Moments from the release of our four-legged friend from a plot in Mandra,” Greek police wrote on Twitter.

Watch here:

Watch: Greek police free dog from garden as wildfires rage close to Athens

Second heatwave expected to hit Greece today

06:26 , Stuti Mishra

Another heatwave is expected in Greece today that is likely to further stoke tinderbox conditions across the country as wildfires burned for a third day west of the Athens.

The new heatwave can lead to temperatures soaring as high as 44C in parts of the country.

Wildfires have destroying forests and homes and spurring evacuations, as authorities braced for a new heatwave.

Emergency workers continued to try to contain wildfires with strong winds in recent days hindering efforts.

A powerful storm sweeps Croatia and Slovenia after days of heat, killing at least 4 people

05:50 , Stuti Mishra

A powerful storm with strong winds and heavy rain hit Croatia and Slovenia yesterday, killing at least four people and injuring several others, police and local media outlets said.

The storm was the second in two days to sweep over the two countries following a string of extremely hot and dry days. Elsewhere in Europe, a heat wave caused wildfires and public health warnings.

Two men died in Croatia's capital, Zagreb, after they were hit by falling trees, Croatian police said. A 50-year-old man was struck while outside in the street, and a 48-year-old man was in his car, a police statement said. Earlier, emergency doctor Ljupka Hitrova told the official Hina news agency that the two victims had multiple head injuries.

The civil protection service in eastern Croatia reported that one person died when a tree fell on their car in the town of Cernik.

Elsewhere in Zagreb, a 36-year-old man was severely injured when a construction crane collapsed, the police statement said.

The storm suddenly darkened the sky and brought blinding rain, flash floods and winds across Zagreb starting at about 4pm. It halted the city's transportation, caused power outages and left streets blocked with fallen trees.

EU sends firefighters to Greece as blaze reaches doorsteps of residents

05:20 , Stuti Mishra

Firefighting aircraft and ground crews from other countries headed to Greece yesterday to help battle wildfires that have intensified as a heatwave baked much of southern Europe in temperatures above 40C.

In a round-the-clock battle to preserve forests, industrial facilities and vacation homes, evacuations continued for a third day along a highway connecting the capital to the southern city of Corinth.

In the town of Mandra, 25km west of Athens the flames reached doorsteps of residents before the Fire Service personnel did.

Resident Varvara Paraskevopoulou described fleeing the fire on Tuesday and then returning to help residents trying to protect their properties themselves.

"We extinguished what we could by ourselves and managed to save some homes. As you'll see further up, three or four houses - residences and storage spaces - were burnt completely," Ms Paraskevopoulou told AP.

Firefighting teams from Poland, Romania and Slovakia were due in Greece and Israel pledged to send two firefighting planes, adding to the four from Italy and France that were already operating outside Athens.

Sardina reaches 46C as Italy issues red alert for 23 cities

Thursday 20 July 2023 00:45 , Matt Drake

Most of Italy's big cities have been placed under a red alert which means the heat poses a threat to everybody and not just the vulnerable.

It comes as the island of Sardinia reached a high of 46C on Wednesday afternoon.

Local media have called it the “settimana infernale” - or “week of hell”.

NASA climate experts and leaders to meet Thursday

Wednesday 19 July 2023 23:45 , Matt Drake

NASA will assmble climate experts and leaders together to discuss the extreme weather events.

It will include NASA administrator Bill Nelson, NASA’s chief scientist and senior climate adviser Kate Calvin, the Ocean Ecology Laboratory and Goddard Space Flight Center’s chief Carlos Del Castillo.

Italian A&E has highest daily numbers since COVID

Wednesday 19 July 2023 22:45 , Matt Drake

There has been an uptick of people attending hospital in Italy for heat-related problems.

In the Lazio region, there was a 20 per cent increase in medical emergencies today compared to last year.

Between 15 per cent and 25 per cent of all emergency admissions across Italy were related to heat.

The highest daily number of patients since the 2020 COVID pandemic were admitted to Cardarelli hospital in Naples yesterday.

The hospital said: "Over the last nine days, the average has been 200 patients a day... an increase of around 30 per cent in the normal number of admissions."

British Embassy warns Brits on holiday in Greece

Wednesday 19 July 2023 21:45 , Matt Drake

The British Embassy has tweeted a link to travel advice for Brits abroad.

It comes as Greece battles wildfires that have been burning for days.

The British Embassy in Athens tweeted: "Are you currently in Greece? Please be aware that a heatwave is expected from tomorrow up until Sunday.

"Greek authorities are still battling wildfires, with large fronts in the regions of Attica, Corinth, Viota and the island of Rhodes."

EU sends firefighters to Greece as wildfires rage

Wednesday 19 July 2023 20:45 , Matt Drake

Firefighters from across the European Union are being sent in to tackle the wild fires that have been burning for three days.

Central and southern parts of Greece are predicted to see temperatures reach 44C by the end of the week.

Combined with gale-force winds, this has helped create fast-moving wilfires around the capital, Athens.

Fires rage in Greece with another spike in temperatures expected

Wednesday 19 July 2023 19:41 , Matt Drake

Fires are raging across Greece destroying forests on Rhodes and gutting homes close to Athens as a new heatwave loomed and threatened to further stoke tinderbox conditions across the country.

Firefighters backed with air water bombers battled a resurgence of flames west of Athens, fresh evacuation orders were issued on Wednesday for three areas threatened by encroaching flames. On the island of Rhodes, authorities sent reinforcements to combat a fire which erupted in a densely wooded mountainous area and ordered the evacuation of three villages as a precaution.

Four aircraft sent from Italy and France joined firefighting efforts on Wednesday, authorities said. Firefighters across the country, boosted by crews from Romania, Poland and Slovakia, have been deployed to help battle the blazes.

Temperatures could climb to 43C on Thursday, forecasters said, as the fresh another bout of extreme temperatures begins. “Conditions are extreme, and are likely to be so for another week,” Kostas Tsigas, head of the fire brigade officers association, told Greece’s SKAI TV.

Fires rage in Greece with another spike in temperatures expected

Has El Nino really kicked in yet or will its effect increase over the coming year?

Wednesday 19 July 2023 19:15 , Matt Drake

Dr Akshay Deoras, meteorologist at the University of Reading, said: “El Niño is still weak and in its early stages of development. Its effect on the global weather patterns will become more robust in the coming months.

“Heatwaves are common in the northern hemisphere at this time of year. However, the temperatures we are expecting in parts of southern Europe in the coming days are what we normally get in the tropical deserts or tropical countries such as India, Pakistan or the Middle East during summer.

“The simultaneous occurrence of heatwaves in different regions of the world as well as their forecasted intensity fits well with the anticipated impact of climate change on global temperatures.”

Weather is ‘exactly as scientists predicted

Wednesday 19 July 2023 18:40 , Matt Drake

Dr Melissa Lazenby, Senior Lecturer in Climate Change at the University of Sussex, said: “What is going on right now in the northern hemisphere? Exactly what climate scientists have been predicting, warmer and more extreme conditions due to anthropogenic warming of the planet.

“The northern hemisphere is experiencing a combined effect of both natural and anthropogenic climate change resulting in extreme heat over 3 NH continents. There is a developing El Nino event as well as the additional warming from human emissions therefore resulting in abnormally warmer temperatures than without human emissions.

“Current conditions of the atmosphere over Europe, the US and Asia have high-pressure systems dominating those regions that are as a result experiencing heatwave conditions. There are also anomalously warm sea surface temperatures (SST’s) in the northern hemisphere this summer which are additionally contributing to heatwave conditions experienced over land.”

WHO urges governments to set up surveillance for people at risk from heatwaves

Wednesday 19 July 2023 18:15 , Matt Drake

The World Health Organisation (WMO) today urged governments and local authorities to set up a strong surveillance system for people who are most at risk of severe symptoms from a heatwave that is baking the northern hemisphere.

People with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and diabetes, as well as pregnant women, children and homeless people, are seen as the most vulnerable to heatwaves that have scorched parts of Europe, Asia and the United States this week.

Maria Neira, director of the public health, environment and social determinants of health department at the WHO, told journalists on Wednesday: "We are very concerned about those who are most vulnerable. And clearly, the heatwaves can exacerbate all of those pre existing diseases."

While the El Nino weather phenomenon has been seen as the reason for the heatwave this year, global warming has been further exacerbating the issue, causing erratic weather patterns globally.

What is going on right now in the northern hemisphere? Expert explains

Wednesday 19 July 2023 17:45 , Matt Drake

Dr Malcolm Mistry, Assistant Professor in Climate and Geo-spatial Modelling, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said: “The large-scale wave-like wind pattern in the upper atmosphere known as the Jet stream is a fast-moving wind that flows from west to east at a global scale.

“Currently, the Jet stream from North America to Europe is stuck in a position that is roughly south of the English Channel in a U-shape flow, with both the trough and the crest of this wave lying south of the UK.

“To the north of the jet stream, we have cooler Arctic air and areas of low pressure, which in turn bringing rain spells to the UK.

“To the south of the jet stream, we have an opposite weather pattern with a high-pressure system stalled drawing hot air from north Africa and maintaining the hot dry conditions.

“A similar pattern currently exists over the US with the Jet stream positioned approximately in southern US with a stalled high-pressure weather pattern over large parts of California, Texas and Florida for instance, thus giving rise to abnormally high temperatures, but with the northern states having below average temperatures in some instances.

“Since this Jet Stream is a large-scale wave pattern, parts of Asia too are experiencing similar blocking patterns with hot air being drawn to specific mainland regions (such as China), thereby increasing the temperatures to above normal conditions that would be expected this time of the year.”

Pictured: The devastating wildfire hitting Greece

Wednesday 19 July 2023 17:30 , Matt Drake

Wildfires have continued to rage in Greece for a third day.

Hundreds have fled the areas for safety.

Dozens of homes in Athens have been gutted while a third fire broke out on the island of Rhodes.

Can we adapt enough to make heatwaves like this manageable? Expert explains

Wednesday 19 July 2023 17:15 , Matt Drake

Dr Vikki Thompson, Climate Scientist, Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute, said: “Although heatwaves kill thousands, and are often called a ‘silent killer’ one positive is that the health impacts can be reduced. Simply communicating the risks can reduce health impacts considerably.

“Relatively simple measures such as adjusting work hours for outdoor workers, ensuring access to water, and providing public cooling centres, can make huge differences to the impacts of extreme heat on human health.”

Italy has seen a spike in hospital admissions

Wednesday 19 July 2023 17:04 , Matt Drake

Italian hospitals in the worst-hit regions have seen a spike in patients seeking help for heat-related emergencies.

Temperatures remained exceptionally high across much of the country just one day after record highs were recorded in a number of cities, including the capital Rome.

Lazio region, which is centred on Rome, saw a 20 per cent increase in medical emergencies on Wednesday.

Giulio Maria Ricciuto, head of the Italian Society of Emergency Medicine (SIMEU) in Lazio, said: "What we are also noticing, linked to the heat, is an increase in admissions for psychiatric pathologies... even suicidal tendencies."

Can we adapt enough to make heatwaves manageable? Expert explains

Wednesday 19 July 2023 16:45 , Matt Drake

Prof Daniela Schmidt, Professor of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, said: “Last year in Europe alone, over 60,000 people died of consequence of the heat showing that there are limits to our current adaptation.

“Air conditioning will help inside buildings, but does not protect people working outside and will increase use of electricity increasing the problem.

“Building interventions can help keeping homes cooler and we can change our behaviour. Heatproofing our cities will take longer time to implement. The effectiveness of all of these will depend on how hot it will become.

“Nature has fewer options and species are moving up mountains and towards the poles to evade the heat.

“Such a migration changes ecosystems and food webs. Reforestation, habitat restoration are long term strategies to increase resilience of ecosystems but they do not remove the problem of extreme heat. Only mitigation does.”

Uptick in UK staycation amid Europe heatwave

Wednesday 19 July 2023 16:21 , Matt Drake

Bookings for UK staycations have seen a 14% increase year-on-year since the start of July according to holidaycottages.co.uk.

In the last week alone, the company, which is one of the UK’s leading holiday letting agencies, has also reported a further 14 per cent increase in general searches for properties on its website which it attributes as a direct result of the European heatwave and airline disruption which is making people think twice when it comes to travelling abroad.

Juliette Parry, Head of Brand for holidaycottages.co.uk, said: "We’re certainly seeing people choosing to avoid unprecedented temperatures and also potential flight disruption by postponing or cancelling their trip abroad and opting for a holiday or short break in the UK instead.

“The UK certainly has a whole host of beautiful destinations right on its doorstep, with Cornwall, Wales and Scotland amongst our ‘top searched destinations’ right now. With a choice of over 15,000 holiday homes, even if you’re needing to change your holiday plans last-minute, we have something available for every budget and every kind of relaxation.”

Saudia Arabi becomes ninth country to reach 50C, says climatologist

Wednesday 19 July 2023 16:10 , Tara Cobham

Saudi Arabia joined the group of countries that have reached the temperature of 50C this year, with 50.5C being recorded at Al Ahsa on Tuesday, according to a climatologist and weather historian.

Maximiliano Herrera tweeted that nine countries have now recorded temperatures of or exceeding 50C.

Satellite image of Mediterranean region showing high concentration of dust

Wednesday 19 July 2023 15:55 , Tara Cobham

A satellite image of the Mediterranean region showing a high concentration of dust forecast for Wednesday has been released by The European Space Agency.

It said the western Mediterranean basin is set to be affected by high concentrations of Saharan dust, further exacerbating the extreme weather conditions of recent days.

In Greece, the situation is compounded by ongoing wildfires, which have devastated areas near Athens and in Eastern Peloponnese, forcing residents to evacuate.

The image is based on data from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), which provides detailed dust forecasts for the region, helping to monitor and understand the distribution and impact of these dust concentrations.

Recap: Gaza power shortages worsened by heatwave as some residents call for protests

Wednesday 19 July 2023 15:40 , Tara Cobham

A heatwave in the Gaza Strip that has sent temperatures over 38 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) worsened power shortages and sparked discontent among residents who expressed frustration with the ruling Islamist Hamas group.

Hamas, which has run the territory since 2007 blames a 16-year-long Israeli blockade for devastating Gaza's economy and undermining development, including the power network.

More than 2.3 million people live in a narrow strip of land squeezed between Egypt and Israel, suffering power cuts for up to 12 hours a day.

The crisis has provoked an unusual wave of social media protests. While asserting Israel was primarily responsible for the Gaza problem, residents demanded action from Hamas. Some called for street protests.

Jalal Ismail, the Hamas-appointed chairman of the Gaza Energy Authority, said the current problem was driven by the soaring heatwave.

"We haven't witnessed such heat in years, and we get electricity for around six hours a day, so I can't fan my children, so I am using the plastic tray to fan them because of the severe heat," said Yasmin Fojo, a mother of five from Nahrelbared camp in southern Gaza Strip.

The five hidden hazards heatwaves pose to children

Wednesday 19 July 2023 15:23 , Tara Cobham

As temperatures soar across the world, extreme heat is putting children’s health at risk, locking them out of education and making them increasingly anxious about the future, Save the Children have said, adding that children affected by poverty, inequality and discrimination are disproportionately impacted.

Here are five ways the organisation has said scorching heatwaves are impacting the rights of children:

1. Health impacts: Children exposed to extreme heat are at greater risk of respiratory disease, kidney disease and other health hazards.

2. Disrupted learning: Recent heatwaves have seen schools close around the world.

3. Hunger: Across the world, crop failures and the death of livestock brought about by extreme heat put food out of reach for children and families and often end up pushing prices up for everyone.

4. Unable to play: With authorities warning people to stay inside, children are more likely to be cooped up, lonely and unable to do activities that are critical to their physical and mental development.

5. Psychological distress: Hot summer days drive up the number of people experiencing mental health emergencies, according to recent research.

EU rushes firefighters to Greece as gruelling Mediterranean heatwaves takes toll

Wednesday 19 July 2023 14:29 , Tara Cobham

Fire planes and ground crews from several European countries were heading to Greece where wildfires have intensified as relentless heatwave conditions are keeping much of southern Europe above 40C (104F).

Three firefighting teams from Poland, Romania and Slovakia were due in Greece on Thursday, while Israel had pledged two firefighting aircraft, adding to the four planes from Italy and France already operating outside Athens.

New evacuations were ordered on Wednesday as wildfires raged near the Greek capital. A second heatwave hit the Mediterranean country from the west following days of record-high temperatures that baked southern Europe.

In a round-the-clock battle to preserve forests, industrial facilities and holiday homes, evacuations continued for a third day along a motorway connecting Athens to the southern city of Corinth.

Temperatures in southern Greece are expected to reach 44C (111F) by the end of the week, in the second heatwave to hit Europe's Mediterranean south in two weeks.

Tourists flock to China’s ‘Flaming Mountains’ as heatwave hits record 28th day

Wednesday 19 July 2023 13:39 , Tara Cobham

Several tourists gathered at China’s scenic “Flaming Mountains” tourist spot to experience spiking temperatures amid continuing heatwaves lashing Asia and much of the northern hemisphere.

Situated in Xinjiang, the Flaming Mountains are a popular tourist attraction that draw thousands to the northern rim of the Turpan Depression each summer, as people come to gaze at corrugated slopes of brown-red sandstone.

The ground at the spot emanates heat not experienced before by many.

Stuti Mishra reports:

Tourists flock to China’s ‘Flaming Mountains’ as heatwave hits record 28th day

Temperatures expected to hit 43C on Thursday as Greek residents lose ‘everything’ in wildfires

Wednesday 19 July 2023 13:08 , Holly Evans

Wildfires continue to burn for a third day west of the Greek capital Athens, with air water bombers resuming operations at first light and firefighters working to keep flames away from coastal refineries.

Fanned by erratic winds, the fires have gutted dozens of homes, prompted hundreds of people to flee and blanketed the area in thick smoke. Temperatures could climb to 43C on Thursday, forecasters said.

Residents have been left surveying the wreckage of their homes after the wildfires, which has been dubbed a “fiery hell” by local media.

“Everything burned, everything. I will throw it all, it’s all waste. The boiler burned, it’s done, it melted,” said Abbram Paroutsidis, 65.

Extreme weather is linked to ‘human-induced climate change’, says expert

Wednesday 19 July 2023 12:42 , Holly Evans

The European Space Agency has pointed to climate change as one of the deciding factors behind the extreme weather events, particularly heatwaves.

Speaking to Sky News, Dr. Clement Albergel said: “If there’s one kind of weather extreme that we can clearly link to human-induced climate change, it’s worsening heatwaves.”

“Heatwaves are getting hotter, they are occurring at a higher frequency, increasing the likelihood of sequential heatwaves.”

This comes after the World Meteorological Organisation said there was “no immediate respite in sight” with a continuation of extreme heat potentially extending into August.

Red alert issued for 85% of Italy’s biggest cities

Wednesday 19 July 2023 12:23 , Holly Evans

Red alerts for extreme heat have been issued for 23 of Italy’s 27 biggest cities, including the capital Rome, Naples, Florence and Verona.

With the heatwave set to hit peak temperatures today, the alert means that the extreme heat will affect everyone, not just those from vulnerable groups.

Electricity consumption reached a 2023 record on Tuesday afternoon as people ramped up the air condition to cope with the heat, grid operator Terna said.

Hospitals across the country have seen a shharp increase in the number of people seeking emergency care for heat-related illnesses.

In pictures: Wildfires continue to rage in Greece

Wednesday 19 July 2023 11:55 , Tara Cobham

Is it safe to travel to Italy, Spain, Greece and Croatia?

Wednesday 19 July 2023 11:35 , Tara Cobham

Travellers from the UK, US and elsewhere in the world may be looking with concern at planned trips to the Mediterranean.

As the busiest summer getaway since 2019 begins, travellers to southern Europe are likely to experience extreme heat. An area of high pressure appears to have settled over the Med with little sign of abating.

The deadly “Charon” heatwave (so named by Italian meteorologists) is gripping southern France, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Greece and Turkey, as well as smaller countries in the Mediterranean region.

Travel Correspondent Simon Calder reports:

Europe heatwave: Is it safe to travel to Italy, Spain, Greece and Croatia?

Planning system ‘must change for local authorities to address climate change'

Wednesday 19 July 2023 11:15 , Tara Cobham

The planning system must change to allow local authorities to address climate change and contribute towards net zero, a new report has found.

The Spatial Planning for Climate Resilience and Net Zero report, commissioned by the Committee for Climate Change (CCC), analysed national and local planning policy as well as an evidence review, case studies and a survey of planning practitioners.

Researchers found a disparity between the potential of the planning system as a tool for driving carbon reductions and its actual performance on the ground. They also said there has been a failure by successive governments to prioritise the role of planning in tackling climate objectives, including net zero targets.

Elsewhere, the report found that no local plan was identified as being fully aligned with the UK's net zero pathway and that guidance on climate adaptation, like resilience to heatwaves, is insufficiently developed.

It comes after CCC chairman Lord Deben warned last month that the planning system "must not prevent the rollout of infrastructure needed to deliver net zero".

Campaigners, planners and industry stakeholders, including the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) and the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) who produced the report, are now calling for widespread planning reform.

What is driving the record-breaking global heatwaves across three continents?

Wednesday 19 July 2023 10:55 , Tara Cobham

Historic heatwaves are sweeping the planet from China to Europe and the United States, with 2023 on track to become the hottest year on Earth since records began.

Rome and Catalonia on Tuesday recorded their highest temperatures ever, provisional data suggests, as southern Europe is gripped by extreme heat and wildfires.

Meteorologists predict this week Europe can record its highest temperature ever as parts of Italy are forecast to cross 48C (118.4F).

Stuti Mishra reports:

What is driving the record-breaking global heatwaves across three continents?

British family abandons £2.5k Greek holiday over blistering 40C heatwave

Wednesday 19 July 2023 10:35 , Tara Cobham

A British family abandoned their £2,500 Greek holiday three days early because of the unbearable Cerberus heatwave - saying their hotel turned into a "giant oven".

Sally Urwin, 49, and her two teenage sons decided to jet back from Rhodes after temperatures soared above 40C.

The trio landed on the island on 12 July and had been planning to stay for a week.

But the heatwave forced them to spend all day in their hotel, which became boiling hot, said Ms Urwin.

Josie Adnitt reports:

British family abandon £2.5k Greek holiday over blistering 40C Cerberus heatwave

Germany debates need for siesta and cold footbaths amid sizzling temperatures

Wednesday 19 July 2023 10:20 , Tara Cobham

A public health group has recommended the introduction of siestas in Germany as temperatures soar in a sizzling summer heatwave.

Johannes Niessen, the head of the BVOeGD public health officers association, said Germans should follow the habits of people in the hotter climes of southern Europe.

"Get up early, work productively in the morning, and take a siesta at midday," he said in an interview published by the RND media network on Tuesday.

The World Meteorological Organization warned a heatwave in the northern hemisphere was set to intensify, increasing the risk of deaths linked to excessively high temperatures.

While Germany has escaped the kind of temperatures that hit southern Europe this week, it has sweltered in the mid-30s Celsius, with Bavaria seeing the country's record high so far at 38.8 degrees Celsius.

"People are not as efficient in strong heat as they are otherwise," Niessen said. "Moreover bad sleep in the absence of cooling in the night leads to concentration problems."

‘Extreme heat is major hazard’ warns WMO alongside global map

Wednesday 19 July 2023 09:35 , Tara Cobham

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that “extreme heat is a major hazard” as it releases a map by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts showing the heatwave gripping the world.

In pictures: Heatwave grips Europe

Wednesday 19 July 2023 09:13 , Tara Cobham

Beijing sets new record for most number of high-temperature days in year

Wednesday 19 July 2023 09:03 , Tara Cobham

Beijing logged its 28th day of temperatures of more than 35C on Wednesday, setting a new record for the most number of high-temperature days in a year, a milestone that was last broken just a day earlier.

In recent days, temperatures in Asia, Europe and the United States have shattered records, adding new urgency for nations around the globe to tackle climate change that scientists say will make heatwaves more frequent, severe and lethal.

As the sweltering heat baked the country's north and northwest, China and the United States - the world's largest greenhouse gas emitters - have been holding intense, marathon talks in Beijing this week on fighting climate change.

U.S. climate envoy John Kerry said on Tuesday that climate change was a global issue - "a threat to all of humankind."

Wildfires continue in Greece as EU allies send aid

Wednesday 19 July 2023 08:15 , Tara Cobham

Wildfires burned for a third day west of the Greek capital Athens on Wednesday, as authorities braced for a new heatwave stoking tinderbox conditions across the country.

At first light, air water bombers resumed operations over the towns of Mandra, west of Athens, and Loutraki, close to the Corinth canal which separates mainland Greece from the Peloponnese. Firefighters worked throughout the night to keep flames at bay and away from a complex of coastal refineries.

Four aircraft sent from Italy and France will join the efforts on Wednesday, authorities said.

The fire brigade reported that a third fire had broken out on the island of Rhodes.

Dozens of homes were gutted and hundreds forced to flee towering flames which seared through hamlets on Tuesday. Traffic was suspended for hours on two roads connecting the mainland to the Peloponnese. They were partially reopened early Wednesday.

The fire risk hazard was high throughout the country. "We remain on a level of high alert," said fire brigade spokesman Vassilis Varthakogiannis. The Greek meteorological service has warned of a high risk of fires this week, just as the country recovers from the first major heatwave of the summer. A second heatwave was forecast to start on Thursday.

Which holiday destinations will be hottest this week and how can you stay safe?

Wednesday 19 July 2023 08:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The Cerberus heatwave has been causing the mercury to rise across southern Europe since last week, bringing temperatures of 40C and upwards in some parts of the continent.

With preliminary figures showing Earth’s average temperature set a new record high on 13 July for the third time in a week, this new spell of hot weather will continue to impact holidaymakers – particularly those heading for the Mediterranean countries of Spain, Italy and Greece – as well as locals.

The heatwave has been caused by a combination of unusually high surface temperatures at sea and an area of high pressure over the Mediterranean, with the addition of clouds of Saharan dust in some areas.

If you’re currently on holiday in Europe or getting ready to depart, you may be wondering what you’ll encounter across the Channel. Here are the literal holiday hotspots that are predicted to hit the highest temperatures this week, plus tips on how best to avoid the punishing heat while you’re travelling.

Chris Wilson reports.

The hottest destinations in Europe this week – and how to stay safe

Heatwaves to become more severe, say UN experts

Wednesday 19 July 2023 07:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said heatwaves like the one hitting Europe currently will become more severe in the coming years due to extreme weather patterns.

“These events will continue to grow in intensity and the world needs to prepare for more intense heatwaves,” said John Nairn, senior extreme heat adviser at the agency.

Meanwhile, the EU’s emergency response coordination centre issued red alerts for high temperatures for most of Italy, northeastern Spain, Croatia, Serbia, southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro.

Passengers pass out as Vegas flight stranded in 43.8C heat on tarmac

Wednesday 19 July 2023 07:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Multiple passengers passed out and had to be wheeled away in stretchers and some reportedly soiled themselves on Monday after their Delta Air Lines flight sat in stifling heat on the tarmac at the Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.

Passengers were first alerted to an issue as their flight sat behind over a dozen other planes preparing to take off.

The pilot informed passengers the plane would be turning around due to emergencies, according to a Fox News producer who was aboard the flight.

Those in the cabin were instructed to remain in their seats until paramedics could meet the plane. As the situation worsened, the Fox producer witnessed passengers faint and others soil themselves as the plane sat in the baking 111F (43.8C) heat.

Josh Marcus and Rituparna Chatterjee report.

Passengers carted off in stretchers as Vegas flight stranded in extreme heat

Met Office gives update on whether 40C heatwave would hit Britain

Wednesday 19 July 2023 07:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Any remaining rain in central and eastern England is expected to clear on Wednesday, giving way to a day of “sunshine and showers”, according to the latest forecast by the Met Office.

According to a Met spokesperson, the central and eastern regions can expect the highest frequency and intensity of showers. Wednesday is going to be “widely warmer than Tuesday”.

There are lower chances of the UK’s temperature climbing upto 40C after days of unsettled July weather.

Met Office spokesperson Grahame Madge said there was “no forecast signal” for temperatures to reach as high as 40C although a long-range forecast showed some heat returning in August.

Stuti Mishra reports.

Met Office gives update on whether 40C heatwave would hit Britain

Why is there no UK heatwave?

Wednesday 19 July 2023 07:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

A deadly heatwave sweeping across Europe with temperatures forecast to shatter records in the coming days stands in complete contrast to the weather faced by the United Kingdom that has had wet and windy conditions continuing this week.

As the UK gets prolonged showers – the Met Office predicts unsettled conditions to continue for the next few days – the Mediterranean region grapples with soaring heat that could touch a new European record as soon as this week.

Experts have said the European heatwave is because of an area of high pressure named after the underworld monster from Dante’s Inferno – Cerberus.

The area of high pressure comes as the world recently experienced record-shattering temperatures that have fuelled baking heatwaves in several countries like the US – that has seen contrasting weather extremes of its own.

The UK, on the other hand, finds itself under the influence of a different weather pattern that has brought in more rain and thus pulled down temperatures after the country got its hottest June on record, pointed out experts.

Stuti Mishra explains.

Why is there no UK heatwave as Europe swelters during Charon?

Wildfires force hundreds to evacuate Greece as EU pledge assistance

Wednesday 19 July 2023 06:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Two wildfires swept uncontrolled through forestland and towns northwest of Athens, forcing hundreds of people to flee their homes as authorities shut down highways to protect an oil refinery.

Water-dropping airplanes and helicopters flew low as a blanket of smoke tinted orange by the sunset to try and contain two wildfires to the west of Athens.

The EU has pledged additional assistance, while forecasts indicated more extreme heat was on the way.

Traffic was suspended for hours on two national roads connecting Athens with the cities of Elefsina and Corinth, where oil refineries operate. The flames were headed toward the seaside town of Nea Peramos.

Homes and a small shipyard in the town of Neos Pontos had been destroyed. Earlier a thick column of smoke rose into the sky after an explosion, a witness told Reuters.

Britons recall ‘unbearable’ heat a year on

Wednesday 19 July 2023 06:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Residents in the town that recorded the UK’s highest temperature have recalled the “unbearable” heat one year on.

A temperature of 40.3C was recorded in Coningsby, Lincolnshire, on 19 July 2022 as the country was hit with record-high temperatures for several days.

Trevor Pattinson, manager of RH Papworth butchers in the town, told PA news agency he and his staff still worked 10-hour days throughout the heatwave and despite the tough conditions, “everybody still wanted us to bake pies”.

He said: “We struggled, we topped out at 48 degrees inside when we had the big oven on.“We are always eight to 10 degrees warmer in the shop anyway. It was unbearable. We had to have lots of water and ice cream.”

Julia Harrington, who also works in the butchers, said she spent much of her day in the shop’s refrigerated unit due to the heat.

“We worry about having to do it next year. There was a report about a heatwave coming this year and we were all getting a bit twitchy,” she said.

Satellite images reveal extent of heatwave across Europe

Wednesday 19 July 2023 06:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Satellite photos illustrating the ongoing exceptional heatwave in southern Europe have been released by the European Space Agency as global temperatures soar towards alarming highs with records expected to be broken.

One of the Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellite images captured on Sunday reveals a clear view of Greece without clouds, while another uses data from the mission’s radiometer instrument to show the land surface temperature across Europe and parts of northern Africa on the first day of the recent heatwaves.

Meteorologists predict that temperatures this week could surpass Europe’s current record of 48.8C, set in Sicily in August 2021, while the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has forecast the heatwave is likely to last into August.

Tara Cobham reports.

Incredible satellite images reveal extent of heatwave across Europe

Families unable to cancel summer holidays despite extreme heat warnings and wildfires

Wednesday 19 July 2023 05:47 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Families face having to cancel their summer holidays to Spain and Greece with no compensation, despite the exceptional heatwave subjecting swathes of Europe to extreme temperatures and wildfires.

While the Foreign Office has issued warnings over scorching temperatures in both Spain and Greece, as wildfires rage on La Palma and near Athens, the UK government has so far stopped short of issuing “don’t travel” advice.

As a result, there is no automatic right for families to curtail, cancel or change planned trips, and holiday companies and airlines contacted by The Independent say normal terms and conditions will apply.

More from Simon Calder and Andy Gregory here.

Families unable to cancel summer holidays despite extreme heat warnings and wildfires

Rise in hospitalisations due to heat-related illness in Italy

Wednesday 19 July 2023 05:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

There has been a sharp rise in the number of people seeking emergency care for heat-related illness as a severe heatwave continues to sweep Europe.

Hospitals reported a 20-25 per cent increase in the number of people at emergency units with complaints of dehydration or other illnesses caused by heat as temperatures in Rome hit 41.86C.

The Cardarelli hospital in Naples said 231 patients had accessed emergency care there within the last 24 hours, The Guardian reported.

While most patients were elderly, people of all ages, including tourists, have been seeking care.“We are experiencing an extremely delicate moment,” Antonio d’Amore, the hospital’s director-general told the daily.

Two per cent of the people admitted on Monday were in serious condition and 38 per cent in moderately critical condition, the director-general added.

Sicily crosses 46C as temperatures forecast to soar

Wednesday 19 July 2023 05:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Sicily recorded 46.3C yesterday as the rest of southern Europe struggled with a severe heatwave, according to the World Meteorological Organization.

The Spanish state meteorological service warned of temperatures between 42C and 44C and issued top-level red alerts for some interior parts of the country and the Balearic Islands.

Italy’s national meteorological service also issued red alerts for extreme heat in southern Italy, Sicily and Sardinia, with temperatures well above 40C.

Parts of the Balkans are also under red alert.

The heat is forecast to intensify by the middle of the week in parts of the Mediterranean, including Greece and Turkey.

In Spain, the town of Figueres in Catalonia recorded 45.3C yesterday.

How long is the heatwave in Europe expected to last?

Wednesday 19 July 2023 04:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Europe is set to continue to bake under extreme heat for weeks as global temperatures soar towards alarming highs with records expected to be broken.

Another anticyclone dubbed “Charon”, who in Greek mythology was the ferryman of the dead, advanced into the Mediterranean region from North Africa on Sunday and could soon lift temperatures well above 45C in parts of Italy, Spain and Greece.

The unrelenting heatwave has shown no sign of abating on Tuesday, with Italy bracing for its highest-ever temperature as Sardinia and Sicily have been forecast to reach 48C. Meanwhile, 20 out of the country’s 27 main cities have been issued with red warning alerts - signalling a possible health threat for anyone exposed to the heat - with the number expected to rise to 23 on Wednesday.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has forecast the heatwave should intensify by mid-week, with a spokeswoman telling The Independent the “above normal temperatures” of the past week are expected to continue over the next week.

Tara Cobham has more.

How long is the heatwave in Europe expected to last?