Heatwave Brings Deadly Wildfires to Italy and Balkan Regions

Heatwave Continues to Grip Europe, Exposing Vulnerable Populations

A prolonged heatwave has intensified across Italy and the Balkans, resulting in a significant increase in excess deaths. Authorities have issued red heat warnings in 22 cities, including Bolzano in the north and Palermo on the southern island of Sicily. The heatwave has also led to wildfires, with firefighters battling a blaze on the Adriatic island of Vis.

Temperatures above 35C (95F) are forecast across parts of Croatia, Serbia, Romania, and Hungary, while Albania has seen a contained wildfire in the southern village of Klos. Meteorologists predict that the heat will persist for several more days, with temperatures expected to remain eight to 10 degrees Celsius above average.

The World Health Organization reports 1,300 excess deaths across Europe since June 21, with France accounting for 1,000 of these fatalities. The majority of victims are older people, and healthcare systems have been strained as a result. Infrastructure damage and power generation disruptions have also occurred.

Scientists attribute the heatwave to human-caused climate change, which has increased the likelihood of extreme temperatures by 100 times compared to two decades ago. The European continent is warming at twice the global average, according to the World Health Organization’s chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Source: Al Jazeera