Several people are believed to have lost their lives as a result of the extreme temperatures in different parts of Europe. France’s weather service issue an unprecedented red alert.
WEB DESK
Several European countries have reported record temperatures this week, and France hit its all-time heat record Friday: 45.1 C (113 F) in the small southern town of Villevieille, according to French media.
The new record was measured in the southern town of Villevieille. The previous record was 44.1C during a heatwave in 2003 that killed thousands.
Governments warned citizens to take extra precautions. French President Emmanuel Macron warned that such extreme weather is likely to become more frequent as a result of global warming.
French Health Minister Agnès Buzyn has said “everyone is at risk” from the high temperatures.
France’s weather service has issued an unprecedented red alert for four areas.
Those are all in the south, but most of the country remains on orange alert, the second highest level.
The southern town of Carpentras saw temperatures exceed 44C
Swathes of the continent are experiencing extreme heat. Germany, France, Poland and the Czech Republic have all recorded their highest-ever June temperatures.
In Spain firefighters are battling Catalonia’s worst wildfires in 20 years. Eight provinces are on red alert while temperatures are expected to rise above 42C in many areas.
Several people are believed to have lost their lives as a result of the extreme temperatures, including two who died from suspected heatstroke in Spain.
The Italian ministry of health has reported emergency levels of heat in 16 cities.