Wildfires rage and rivers recede as Europe bakes in early summer heat waves

Europe is currently in the grip of an intense early summer heat wave, with temperatures soaring to record highs across the continent, leading to at least eight fatalities and widespread disruption. As of Friday, the scorching conditions have triggered health alerts, sparked devastating wildfires and impacted critical infrastructure, from power plants to major waterways.

Spain has been particularly hard hit, with temperatures reaching a blistering 46 degrees Celsius in El Granado on June 28. Wildfires have ravaged parts of Catalonia, claiming two lives, while heat-related deaths have also been reported in Extremadura and Cordoba.

In France, two heat-related deaths were confirmed, with 300 individuals hospitalized, and the summit of the Eiffel Tower was temporarily closed for safety.

Germany saw temperatures peak at 40 degrees Celsius. Tragically, two men over 60 died on a Sardinian beach due to the heat.

Beyond the immediate human cost, the heat wave has fueled destructive wildfires across Türkiye and Greece.

In Türkiye's Izmir Province, at least two people have died, tens of thousands have been evacuated, and some 200 homes have been damaged. Firefighters continue to battle blazes.

Greece largely brought a wildfire on Crete under control. More than 5,000 tourists, hotel workers and residents were moved out of the area on Wednesday. Local authorities estimate that the fire has burned approximately 15 square kilometers of land.

Animals also need cooling. The zoo in Prague, Czech Republic, distributed up to 10 tonnes of ice, with special attention given to polar bears.

The heat has also strained the infrastructure. A nuclear reactor in Switzerland was forced to close, and parts of Florence, Italy, experienced a blackout due to a surge in electricity demand.

Furthermore, unusually low water levels on the Danube River in Hungary are disrupting shipping, with cargo ships forced to operate at significantly reduced capacity, leading to potential surcharges. The Vistula River was also at a record low in Warsaw, and the Rhine in Germany was also unusually low.

(With input from agencies)