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Where will Europe’s heatwave be most deadly?

The European heatwave and wildfire crisis has eased in western Europe but intensified in Greece, with gale-force winds driving flames through a seaside resort, forcing hundreds to flee by sea, and hampering firefighting aircraft. Italy has placed 23 major cities under the highest heat alert as temperatures soar. The crisis has led to the deaths of at least three firefighters in Greece and two Australian firefighters in a helicopter collision.

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What changed

The most dangerous front of Europe's wildfire emergency has shifted to Greece, with a helicopter collision killing two Australian firefighters.

Live updates

  1. Europe's heatwave shifts to Greece, wildfires spread

    The European heatwave and wildfire crisis has eased in western Europe but intensified in Greece, with gale-force winds driving flames through a seaside resort, forcing hundreds to flee by sea, and hampering firefighting aircraft. Italy has placed 23 major cities under the highest heat alert as temperatures soar. The crisis has led to the deaths of at least three firefighters in Greece and two Australian firefighters in a helicopter collision.

    Why it matters

    The heatwave and wildfires have displaced millions and evacuated thousands across Europe, with France and Spain seeing their largest peacetime evacuations in modern history. The crisis has grim resonance for Greece, which experienced a devastating 2018 wildfire that killed 104 people. The United Nations warns that a strengthening El Nino is intensifying global weather extremes.

    What is confirmed

    • A 2018 wildfire at the seaside community of Mati, near Athens, killed 104 people.
    • Italy has placed 23 major cities under the highest heat alert as temperatures soar.
    • The crisis has led to the deaths of at least three firefighters in Greece.
    • Two Australian firefighters died in a helicopter collision near Athens.
    • The United Nations warns that a strengthening El Nino is intensifying global weather extremes.

    What to watch next

    • Further evacuations in Greece
    • Impact of El Nino on global weather extremes
    • Development of Europe's wildfire emergency in the coming weeks
    Sources used for this update (7)
    1. www.cbsnews.com — Wildfire danger in Europe shifts to Greece as evacuation orders remain in France
    2. www.click2houston.com — UN, scientists warn that strong El Nino will add fuel to 'a planet already on fire'
    3. www.outlookindia.com — Why Is Italy Putting Nearly All Its Major Cities On The Highest 'Red' Heat Alert?
    4. www.abc.net.au — Two Australian helicopters in deadly midair collision fighting fires in Greece
    5. www.aol.com — Is Europe Totally Changing The Way We Make Air Conditioners?
    6. globalnews.ca — Wildfire crisis eases in western Europe but worsens in Greece as winds drive blazes
    7. www.arkansasonline.com — Europe wildfire emergency eases
    confidence 95%

  2. Europe's heatwave and wildfires: death toll rises

    A severe heatwave and wildfire crisis are affecting Europe, with millions displaced and thousands evacuated. France and Spain have seen their largest peacetime evacuations in modern history. The crisis has led to the deaths of at least three firefighters in Greece.

    What's confirmed:

    • Over 330,000 people have been displaced due to wildfires in France and Spain.
    • A massive fire in the Gironde region of France has forced over 250,000 people to evacuate.
    • Three firefighters have died in Greece while battling wildfires.
    • The heatwave has led to an increase in West Nile virus cases in Europe.
    • Global heating has made hot, dry and windy conditions in Spain at least 20 times more likely.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • The heatwave is expected to worsen in the coming days.
    Sources used for this update (9)
    1. Extreme Heat, Fossil Fuels: Protecting Survival
    2. How to Help the Victims of Europe’s Deadly Wildfires
    3. Southern Europe burns as 3 firefighters die and France battles blaze 4 times the size of Paris
    4. Is district cooling the solution we need for extreme heat in cities?
    5. WHO Warns of Rising West Nile Virus Cases in Europe Amid Heatwave
    6. France orders 4,000 more evacuated as fires displace a third of a million across southwest Europe
    7. Firefighters battle to contain deadly Crete blaze in Greece
    8. ‘Extremely scary findings’ show climate crisis is supercharging Europe’s wildfire weather
    9. ‘We can’t make it better again’: what Europe’s wildfires tell us about the climate crisis
    confidence 50%

  3. Wildfires and Evacuations Escalate During European Heatwave

    A severe heatwave and wildfire crisis are affecting Europe. In France, a massive fire in the Gironde region has forced over 250,000 people to evacuate. Millions are currently affected by uncontrollable blazes across the continent.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • A massive wildfire in the Gironde region of France has destroyed homes and threatens Bordeaux.
    • Over 250,000 people have been evacuated due to the Gironde wildfire.
    • An unusually wet winter and a record-hot, rain-starved spring caused a flash drought in Europe.
    • Britain is preparing for its fourth heatwave of the year.
    Sources used for this update (4)
    1. Bordeaux Wildfire Forces Evacuations as Europe's Heatwave Crisis Sparks New Blazes
    2. Europe Wildfires Explained: How a Wet Winter Fueled This Summer's Deadly Fires
    3. Europe warned of ‘warmer-than-normal’ August: What’s driving blistering temperatures?
    4. Voices: For climate-change deniers, the heat is on
    confidence 70%

  4. Europe Faces Record-Breaking Deadly Heatwave

    Europe is experiencing its most severe heatwave on record, causing over 1,300 deaths. The extreme heat has hit eastern regions and France particularly hard, forcing Ukraine to implement power cuts. Experts warn that hotter summers are expected in the future.

    What's confirmed:

    • Europe's most severe heatwave on record set new temperature records in eastern parts of the continent.
    • The heatwave has resulted in more than 1,300 deaths.
    • Hot nights are dangerous because the body has less time to recover from daytime exposure.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • Paris Deputy Mayor Audrey Pulvar blames United States carbon emissions for the deadly heat wave in France.
    • Ukraine ordered power cuts to cope with the heat.
    • Slovakia hit record temperatures during the heatwave.
    • Analysis of 854 cities is being conducted to determine which will be worst affected.
    Sources used for this update (11)
    1. Where will Europe’s heatwave be most deadly?
    2. Heatwave ends but experts warn of more heat to come
    3. Met Office issues weather forecast for Taunton for coming days
    4. When Surrey heatwave will end with clouds and rain predicted
    5. Jersey’s Record Heatwave Ends as Experts Warn Hotter Summers Are Ahead
    6. Europe's deadly June heat would have been 'virtually impossible' decades ago, scientists say
    7. Europe's deadly heatwave scorches east, Slovakia hits record
    8. From Melting Roads to 1,300+ Deaths: Why Similar Heat Feels Worse in Europe Than India
    9. Paris deputy mayor blames the United States' carbon emissions for deadly heat wave
    10. Europe is battling a record-breaking heatwave. What's making it so severe?
    11. Where will Europe's heatwave be most deadly? | World News
    confidence 80%