Europe's killer heatwave kills one as holidaying Brits warned 'stay inside'
Brits venturing to Europe in the coming weeks are being warned to prepare for scorching temperatures as the heatwave claims at least one life.
Temperatures across holiday hotspots loved by Brits are edging dangerously high, with health and heat warnings in place in several countries.
Authorities in Karpathos, Greece are investigating the disappearance of a British tourist. According to local Greek publications, the 60-year-old has been missing since Friday, when his car was found locked. Police and firefighters are searching the area for him, with special forces due to join the hunt today.
In Barcelona, a woman has lost her life, allegedly after spending a gruelling shift cleaning the streets of the Spanish city. According to the newspaper El País, the cleaner was working in the Raval neighborhood of Ciutat Vella during the heat of the day. She spent eight hours outside, enduring temperatures above 30°C, according to Aemet.
Have you been affected by the intense heat? Email webtravel@reachplc.com
The heat dome over Europe is no joke, with another tourist already succumbing to heatstroke in Majorca. The sweltering front has surged up from Africa and looks set to push temperatures even higher. The meteorological event happens when a high-pressure ridge traps a thick layer of warm air in one area, acting like a lid on a pot.
While a bit of sun, sea and sand might sound appealing, such extreme temperatures can be incredibly dangerous.
Portugal has advised people 'not to go out' during the hottest hours, as the risk of heat strokes and burns increases as the heatwave takes hold. A high of 46.6C was recorded in the town of Mora on Sunday.
Southern Spain, around Seville, was forecasted to hit 42°C over the weekend, while the French Mediterranean coast reached 40°C on Saturday, with similar temperatures in southern Italy and Sardinia. London could see highs of 35°C on Monday, potentially making it the hottest June day ever recorded in the country.
Spain is sizzling under the hottest day of a heatwave that kicked off last Saturday, smashing June records with a scorching 46 degrees in El Granado down south. A sweltering Saharan air mass is cranking up the mercury to "abnormally high and persistent levels, both day and night, which could pose a risk to people," according to the State Meteorological Agency's stark warning.
Meanwhile, UK health chiefs have slapped an amber heat alert on Tuesday for swathes of the country including London, the East Midlands, South East, South West, and East of England. The UK Health Security Agency has sounded the alarm over blistering temperatures threatening the wellbeing of kids, the elderly, and those with underlying health issues.
The agency cautions about "a rise in deaths, particularly among those ages 65 and over or with health conditions. There may also be impacts on younger age groups."
"Extreme heat is no longer a rare event — it has become the new normal," declared U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres via Twitter from Seville, Spain, where the mercury was projected to soar to a blistering 42 Celsius by Monday afternoon.
Echoing his oft-repeated plea for dramatic measures to curb climate change, Guterres proclaimed: "The planet is getting hotter & more dangerous — no country is immune."
The extreme heat poses a significant threat to life. In 2023, a record-breaking heatwave in Europe claimed 61,000 lives. According to William Spencer, climate and first aid product manager at the British Red Cross, "Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and getting worse because of climate change.
"Sadly, we have seen cases already this year of the tragic impact high temperatures can have on human life. High temperatures make it harder for the body to cool itself and we all need to take care to manage the health risks of heat. If you are travelling to a country experiencing extreme heat, there are several steps you can take to keep yourself and others safe."
As mercury levels soar, the newly launched early warning system, Forecaster.health, is set to be a game-changer. This pioneering pan-European platform offers real-time predictions on the mortality risks associated with temperature changes, tailored for various demographics.
Holidaymakers worried about the scorching weather can now assess their personal health risks before jetting off. Before you pack your bags for that much-needed getaway, be sure to check the weather forecast to stay ahead of any potential heat hazards.
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