Wildfires Kill 2, Displace Hundreds Across Southern Europe Heatwave

A severe heatwave sweeping across southern Europe has caused deadly wildfires and extreme temperatures, particularly in Spain and France, with temperatures expected to exceed 40 degrees Celsius in some regions. In Spain, a man died from severe burns after a wildfire near Madrid forced the evacuation of 180 people and burned over 1,000 hectares, while thousands more fled their homes as winds fueled the fires. The heatwave has prompted the deployment of nearly 1,000 soldiers in Spain to combat the wildfires, with emergency services working tirelessly to contain the blazes. Other countries including Italy, France, Portugal, and parts of the Balkans have also issued heat alerts, with Italy reporting the death of a child from heatstroke. The extreme weather has led to disruptions such as the temporary closure of the Dardanelles Strait in Turkey to facilitate firefighting efforts. Officials warned that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of such heatwaves, raising the risk of more severe wildfires and related disasters in the region.