Southern Europe is reeling under an unprecedented heatwave, with temperatures hitting 44°C in parts of Spain, Italy, France, and Portugal. Authorities have activated emergency protocols as wildfires erupt and hospitals report rising heat-related emergencies.
Health Systems Strained
France placed 84 departments on orange alert – its second-highest warning – while Italy's emergency rooms saw a 10% spike in heatstroke cases. Ambulances stand ready near tourist sites like Rome and Athens, where Greek firefighters recently battled coastal blazes.
Climate Link Confirmed
"Mediterranean heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense," said Emanuela Piervitali of Italy's Environmental Protection Institute. Scientists warn the 'urban heat island' effect exacerbates risks in cities like Milan and Lisbon, where red alerts remain active.
Ecological Domino Effect
The warming Mediterranean is attracting invasive species like lionfish near Sicily, while French biodiversity suffers. Firefighters across the region remain on high alert, recalling last week's forest fires near Athens that forced evacuations.
