Extreme weather in Europe

43 degrees in France – then a cold war breaks out over AC

The heat wave that began in France this weekend continues to increase in intensity. On Tuesday, temperatures are expected to exceed 40 degrees in many parts of the country. In Cahors outside Toulouse, the temperature is expected to climb to 43 degrees.

All over France, fees for municipal baths have been reduced or eliminated so that everyone has the opportunity to cool off.

This summer's heat waves have led to a heated debate about air conditioning. Le Parisien reports on a long series of neighborly disputes, "cold wars", after people installed machines without permission. In the city of Libourne, Le Monde captures an exchange of words between 70-year-old Roger, who is critical of the climate impact of air conditioning, and 32-year-old mother of three Carole.

- I'm tired of being blamed. I have air conditioning and I'm turning it up to maximum right now. It's my right as a taxpayer, she says.

Thousands have been forced to leave their homes in Spain

Thousands of hectares are burning and thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes in fire-ravaged Spain, reports El Pais.

A total of 24 towns have been evacuated. In the Castile region, 3,700 people have been evacuated and in the city of Cádiz in southwestern Spain, 2,000 people. In Tarida, 2,000 residents and hotel guests have been forced to leave.

On Monday afternoon, a man died after a fire broke out in Madrid.

In Galicia, 3,000 hectares have burned so far, which is described as the worst fire in the country this year. 

The researcher on the heat wave: “Many underestimate the danger”

Several people have died in connection with the heat wave that is affecting large parts of southern Europe, AFP reports. In Spain, a man died while trying to save horses at an equestrian facility that was hit by a forest fire.

In Montenegro, a soldier died while fighting a fire when a vehicle overturned on him. On Monday, Italian authorities confirmed that a child had died of heatstroke in the country.

Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and countries in the Balkans have all issued weather warnings due to the heat. Temperatures are expected to exceed 40 degrees Celsius in many areas.

Akshay Deoras, a researcher at the University of Reading, tells the news agency that climate change is leading to severe heat waves.

“Many people are still underestimating the danger,” she says. 

Summer tourism in Europe
Many dead in the Dolomites: “Risking lives for a photo”

During the summer, an unusually high number of people have died in the Italian Alps. Between June 21 and July 23, there were 83 fatal accidents, which is an increase of 20 percent compared to last year.

The weather is pointed out as a main cause, but also increased risk-taking and social media. Ekot has spoken to Roberto Bolza, vice president of the Italian mountain rescue, who says that many visitors are tempted to recreate photos taken by experienced climbers.

– People risk their lives for a photo.