A scorching heatwave is currently engulfing parts of southern Europe and north-west Africa, with potential record-breaking temperatures anticipated in the coming days.
Spain, France, Greece, Croatia, and Turkey are expected to experience temperatures surpassing 40°C (104°F).
Italy faces the possibility of reaching a sweltering 48.8°C (119.8°F), prompting a red alert warning for 10 cities, including Rome, Bologna, and Florence.
Tragically, a 44-year-old worker in northern Italy collapsed and died from the heat while painting zebra crossing lines in Lodi, near Milan.
Italian politician Nicola Fratoianni expressed concerns about the unbearable heatwave, emphasizing the importance of taking necessary precautions to prevent such tragedies.
Dubbed the Cerberus heatwave, extreme conditions are predicted in the coming days, following scorching temperatures of up to 45°C in Spain, with overnight temperatures staying above 25°C.
The heatwave is expected to continue into the weekend, with temperatures in southern Europe potentially reaching the low to mid 40s, or even higher.
The Met Office forecasts peak temperatures on Friday, and Prague may see highs of 36°C (96.8°F) on Saturday, well above the average July temperatures of 24°C (75.2°F).
While Cerberus subsides, Italian weather forecasters warn of the next heatwave, named Charon, which could push temperatures back up to 43°C in Rome and possibly reach 47°C on the island of Sardinia.
Europe experienced its highest-ever temperature of 48.8°C in August 2021, near Syracuse on the Italian island of Sicily.
Last year, over 60,000 people in Europe lost their lives due to the heat, raising concerns about potential casualties during this summer’s heatwave.
Experts note that extreme heat events are becoming more frequent, attributing the trend to climate change, which has led to record-breaking temperatures becoming the new norm.
The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts reported that this June was the hottest on record globally.