Several Italian regions have banned outdoor activities during the hottest hours of the day, France has closed dozens of schools and Spain has confirmed that last month was the hottest June on record, while a severe heatwave has swept across Europe, prompting health warnings across the continent.
The risks of working outdoors during the scorching heat came into focus after unions blamed the death of a construction worker near the Italian city of Bologna on the high temperatures. In Barcelona, authorities were investigating whether the death of a street maintenance worker over the weekend was also linked to the heat.
Turkey continued to battle forest fires that forced the temporary evacuation of around 50.000 people in areas around the city of Izmir, as well as in the provinces of Manisa and Hatay in the southeast of the country, on Monday.
Europe is the fastest-warming continent in the world - warming twice as fast as the global average, according to data from the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service, and extreme heat waves are occurring earlier and longer in the later months.
"What is extraordinary, and I emphasize extraordinary, but not unprecedented, is the time of year that this is happening," World Meteorological Organization spokeswoman Claire Nalis told Reuters. "Today is the first of July, and we are already seeing episodes of extreme heat that usually come later in the summer."
Higher temperatures in the Mediterranean Sea, she added, "tend to amplify temperature extremes over land."
The Mediterranean Sea was up to 6 degrees Celsius warmer than usual for this time of year, and the Balearic Sea in Spain recorded a record temperature of as much as 30°C, the Spanish meteorological service AEMET said, citing a "heat dome" that trapped hot air over Europe.
Spain recorded its warmest June on record last month, with an average temperature of 23,6°C, AEMET said.
The Red Cross has set up an air-conditioned "climate shelter" in southern Malaga, said Tommaso Della Longa, a spokesman for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, to help residents cope with the unbearable heat.
Extreme heat kills up to 480.000 people worldwide each year, according to Swiss insurance company Swiss Re, which says this figure is higher than the total number of victims of floods, earthquakes and hurricanes combined.
Sixteen departments in France were on the highest level of alert as of noon yesterday, while 68 were at the second highest level of alert.
About 1.350 schools were fully or partially closed, an increase from about 200 that were closed on Monday, the Ministry of Education said.
Train services between Paris and Milan were disrupted by a mudslide on the French side of the Alps, and full normalisation of service is not expected before mid-July, French railway company SNCF said.
The top floor of the Eiffel Tower was closed yesterday and today, and visitors were advised to drink plenty of water.
Italy, meanwhile, has issued a red heatwave alert for 17 cities, including Milan and Rome. In Sicily, a 53-year-old woman with heart problems died while walking through the streets of the town of Bagheria.
Scientists say greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels are the main cause of climate change, with deforestation and industrial practices also contributing. Last year was the warmest year on record, Reuters reports.
Across Europe, tourists were also trying to find ways to cool off.
“We woke up as early as possible to get out as early as possible, so we could rest during the afternoon,” said Suzana Leivonen, a 45-year-old from Finland, in Paris. Her family was prepared - they brought water and sunscreen, and they planned to seek refuge from the heat in the shops or take an afternoon nap.
High temperatures have increased the risk of fires as farmers in France, the European Union's biggest grain producer, begin harvesting this year's crop, with many working at night to avoid the hottest parts of the day.
Free swimming pools and climate oases
Some European countries are trying to deal with the heatwave in creative ways, helping the most vulnerable groups cope with high temperatures.
In Venice, people over 75 are offered free guided tours of air-conditioned museums and public buildings, while in Rome, city pools are free for everyone over 70.
In the Netherlands, schools in Rotterdam and across the province of West Brabant introduced a so-called "tropical schedule" on Tuesday, with shortened classes: from 8 to 12 and additional water breaks.
Austria, meanwhile, is offering 23 “climate oases” with air conditioning, snacks and refreshments for those in need, organized by the Catholic humanitarian organization Caritas, which is also providing special medical buses with volunteer doctors.
In France, some cities, such as Orleans, have made museums free. In Marseille, swimming pools are free during the heatwave, according to AFP.
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