Spain and France may face a new wave of abnormal heat in the coming days. Against this backdrop, preliminary data indicate that extreme high temperatures in June caused over 2,000 excess deaths in the two countries. This is reported by The Guardian, according to UNN.
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According to the State Meteorological Agency of Spain (Aemet), a mass of dry and very hot air will arrive in the country from Saturday. In the southeastern regions, temperatures could reach 42–44°C as early as Tuesday.
Forecasters also warn of an increased risk of forest fires and urge elderly people and those with cardiovascular diseases to avoid exposure to the heat.
According to preliminary estimates, 1,029 people died due to the heat in Spain in June. In France, health authorities also reported approximately 1,000 additional deaths during the 10-day heatwave at the end of June.
The French SOS Médecins service reported that mortality among people over 75 years of age increased by 85% in the last two weeks of June. At the same time, the number of calls due to heat stroke increased by 480%, and due to dehydration – by 315%.
France's Minister of Sports and Youth, Marina Ferrari, also reported that since June 19, more than 90 deaths from drowning have been recorded in the country, which is linked to people's desire to cool down during the heat.
Extreme temperatures also contributed to massive forest fires in southern France. According to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, three large fire hotspots, two of which occurred near Marseille, have already covered more than 1,200 hectares.
Due to the expected new heatwave, a surge in demand for air conditioners has arisen in the suburbs of Paris. According to the publication, long queues formed near Lidl supermarkets, and in some cases, scuffles broke out among customers over the limited number of units.
Scientists emphasize that the record heat in Western Europe became possible due to climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels.
Firefighters in southern France are battling a forest fire after a heatwave02.07.26, 11:33