Southern Europe is in the grip of an unforgiving heatwave, with blistering temperatures pushing above 40C in several countries and sparking wildfire threats that have forced evacuations and left holidaymakers scrambling for shade.
From the sun-drenched ruins of Athens to the bustling streets of Rome, a scorching wave of heat has settled over Italy, Greece, Spain, and Portugal, with experts blaming the intensity and frequency of such heat events on worsening climate change, as reported by the Manchester Evening News .
In Portugal, nearly two-thirds of the country was placed under high alert over the weekend, as weather officials warned of 'extreme fire danger' in multiple districts. Lisbon braced for highs above 42C, prompting residents to flee to the coast while emergency crews remained on standby.
Italy is faring no better. On Sunday, the Italian Ministry of Health slapped red-alert heat warnings on 21 cities, including tourist hotspots like Rome, Milan and Naples, citing serious health risks, particularly for the elderly and young children. Regions like Lazio, Calabria, and Puglia introduced emergency bans on outdoor work during peak sun hours, while trade unions urged national legislation to protect workers from heat stress.
In Rome, the heat turned ancient landmarks into oven-hot tourist traps. Visitors huddled in the shade of the Colosseum and filled water bottles from the city's iconic public fountains. In Naples and Milan, vendors made brisk business selling cold drinks to sweaty tourists who braved the relentless sun.