MADRID: A severe heat wave sweeping across Europe has claimed hundreds of lives and disrupted daily life as several countries endure unusually high temperatures.
In Spain, authorities reported that at least 212 people have died over the past four days due to extreme heat, with temperatures reaching as high as 42 degrees Celsius (108 degrees Fahrenheit) in some regions.
France has also been hit hard by the heat wave, with the death toll rising to 50. Temperatures exceeded 44 degrees Celsius (111 degrees Fahrenheit), marking one of the country’s hottest periods in decades and the first time in 80 years that some areas have recorded such extreme temperatures.
In Italy, five heat-related deaths were reported within a 24-hour period as soaring temperatures continued to affect large parts of the country.
Meanwhile, weather authorities extended a red heat warning for London and southeast England through Thursday, warning residents of potentially dangerous conditions.
Forecasters said temperatures in London are expected to remain between 30 and 40 degrees Celsius in the coming days.
The prolonged heat has also placed growing pressure on healthcare systems. The Royal College of Physicians said hospitals are experiencing an increase in heat-related admissions, while high temperatures are also affecting medical equipment and hospital infrastructure.
More head, Deadly heatwave breaks records across Western Europe
Experts have urged vulnerable groups, including the elderly and those with underlying health conditions, to take precautions as Europe continues to grapple with one of its most intense heat waves in recent years.
