Southern Europe Bakes in Record Heat
A severe heatwave gripped southern Europe on Thursday, with Italy placing all its major cities under its highest heat alert and Austria setting a new national temperature record. Authorities warned people to stay indoors during the hottest hours as temperatures soared. The heat has fuelled wildfires in France and disrupted travel across the continent.
Europe has endured a summer of extremes, with repeated heatwaves, drought and fires from Greece and Spain to Britain, which has just recorded its driest July. Scientists link the intensifying and lengthening heat to a warming climate, and warn that such summers will become more common. The high temperatures pose particular dangers to the elderly and the sick, and disrupt travel, energy and work. For the millions of Britons holidaying in the Mediterranean, the heat is an unwelcome companion. Watch whether the temperatures break further records and how long the spell lasts.