In parts of southern Europe extreme weather of another kind is also have a catastrophic impact. The heat wave that has caused wildfires in Sicily has also claimed around thirty lives in a number of countries. Crews are battling extensive blazes north of Palermo. Forest fires have also been reported near several prominent tourist spots on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast.

But it is the sheer heat that is the biggest danger. In recent days soaring temperatures have been blamed for the deaths in Romania, Greece, Cyprus and Turkey. Memories of the devastating heat wave of 2003 in which tens of thousands of people lost their lives are still fresh in the memory. And with new record temperatures being recorded in some places authorities have introduced emergency measures.

In Greece and Romania the mercury has risen well above 40 Celsius. And forecasters say there is more to come.

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