South-eastern Europe is struggling in the grip of a heatwave that has become so severe it is on the point of being declared an emergency in places. People have been killed from the Adriatic to the Black sea as temperatures enter the high 40’s. Scicily is grappling with some 25 severe fires along with Puglia and Calabria, and strong winds are making things worse.

It is in Romania where there has been the greatest loss of life; at least 29 victims as electricity generators and health services have problems coping with increased demand for air-conditioning and care. Bucharest has been described as “Europe’s hotplate” today, with temperatures over 45 degrees.

High heels are sinking into pavements, and people are having fun cooking eggs on car bonnets. It has been like Hell for a week, and an orange alert is in place to help the infirm, elderly, and very young. Turkey has also been in the grip of a heatwave for days, and while only one person has been reported killed there, the chronically ill have been ordered to take three days off work as a precaution.

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