A devastating heatwave continues to scorch Europe, with wildfires raging across Portugal, Spain, and France. In northern Portugal, a pilot died when his waterbombing plane crashed near the Spanish border. Portuguese authorities report at least 238 heat-related deaths in the past week.
In France's Gironde region, over 12,000 people have been evacuated as fires ravage the area. Temperatures are forecast to reach 41°C in the south, with new heat records expected. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin praised firefighters' courage as 10,000 hectares have burned.
Residents described the situation as 'post-apocalyptic'. Manon Jacquart, evacuated from a campsite, told the BBC: 'Everything went so fast... I want to forget this week.' In Spain, holidaymakers in Torremolinos watched plumes of smoke as aircraft tackled blazes.
Scientists warn that human-induced climate change has made heatwaves more frequent and intense. The world has warmed by about 1.1°C since the industrial era, and temperatures will continue to rise without steep emissions cuts.
Other Mediterranean countries are also affected. Italy declared a state of emergency in the Po Valley, while Greece and Morocco battle fires. In the Alps, climbers are urged to postpone Mont Blanc trips due to rock fall risks from exceptional heat.
