The Foreign Office has issued an urgent update for travellers heading to Spain, Portugal, or France as a severe heatwave grips southern Europe, with temperatures soaring above 40°C and a wave of heat-related deaths reported.
Extreme Heat Alerts Across France, Spain, and Portugal
In France, the national weather service Meteo France has placed 54 areas under a red heatwave alert, exposing millions to extreme temperatures. The country, which lacks widespread air-conditioning, has seen disruptions to schools, trains, and sporting events. Since last week, 40 drowning deaths have been reported, with French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu stating that the victims were mainly young people.
Spain’s meteorological agency Aemet issued red alerts on Tuesday for temperatures of 44°C in southern Andalusia, along with warnings of 40°C in the normally temperate Cantabria and Basque Country regions on the northern Atlantic coast. Aemet meteorologist Rubén del Campo noted that Spain, which has experienced increasingly torrid summers, will only get hotter due to climate change, with heatwaves becoming more frequent, longer, and occurring outside the traditional July-August window.
Health Risks and Wildfire Dangers
The Foreign Office highlighted serious health risks, including dehydration, overheating, and heatstroke, directing travellers to the Travel Health Pro website for detailed advice. It also warned of an elevated risk of wildfires across all three countries.
According to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, Europe is the world’s fastest-warming continent, with temperatures rising twice as fast as the global average since the 1980s. The World Health Organisation’s Europe office reported that over 200,000 people across Europe died from heat-related causes in the last four years, with most deaths preventable.
Specific Advice for Spain
The Foreign Office advises travellers to Spain to check warnings from AEMET and the European Meteorological Services, follow NHS guidance on staying safe in hot weather, and adhere to the Spanish Ministry of Health’s recommendations for their area. Officials stressed that causing a wildfire is a criminal offence in Spain, even unintentionally, and can result in heavy fines. Travellers should properly extinguish cigarette ends, avoid lighting barbecues in forest areas, and not leave empty bottles behind.
Specific Advice for France
For France, the Foreign Office recommends checking current weather forecasts and protection advice on the Meteo France website. Wildfires are common in summer, particularly along the Mediterranean coast and Corsica. The French weather service has launched a fire alert map, and authorities may evacuate areas and close roads. Causing a wildfire is illegal and can lead to fines or imprisonment.
Specific Advice for Portugal
In Portugal, travellers should monitor forecasts from the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere. The Foreign Office warns of an increased wildfire risk from April to October, with fires being highly dangerous and unpredictable. Portuguese authorities may evacuate areas and close roads for safety.
