Climate threat Extreme weather in Europe

Italian bike couriers strike in heatwave

Bike couriers in several Italian cities are going on strike in the intense heatwave that is currently taking place in the country, reports the BBC.

In Bologna and Florence, where temperatures are expected to reach 40 degrees this week, couriers will turn off their apps and demonstrate in the city centers.

The authorities in Milan have limited deliveries during the hottest hours of the day until September. However, the union Nidil Cgil objects that the city and courier companies should take measures so that couriers do not go without pay due to the heat break. 

Volunteer firefighter behind the forest fire in France

A total of six people have been detained on suspicion of starting the large fires in the Fontainebleau forest, south of Paris. One of those arrested is an 18-year-old volunteer firefighter, writes Le Monde.

The firefighter has admitted that he “set fire to twigs with gasoline and a lighter”. Another of the suspects states that he started the fire by mistake by throwing his cigarette on the ground. According to prosecutor Diane Ngomsik, they both started separate fires and there is no connection between the people.

In a press release seen by France Info, the rescue services in the department of Seine-et-Marne express their “deepest dismay”. That a volunteer firefighter started a fire is “simply inexcusable”, they write.