ROME, June 26 (Reuters) — A heatwave is sweeping across southern and western Europe, pushing temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in Italy, Spain, France and Greece, with some areas setting new record highs for June. Meteorological agencies in several countries have issued red alerts for extreme heat.
The scorching weather has caused a surge in electricity demand and significantly raised the risk of wildfires. Authorities have opened public cooling centers and advised people to limit outdoor activities and stay hydrated. Popular tourist destinations have also intensified heat safety warnings for visitors.