Southern European heatwave fans multiple wildfires

Greece and Turkey battle wildfires as temperatures spike

Southern European countries are facing a heatwave, with Greece and Turkey among those battling wildfires as temperatures spike. Videos show firefighters tackling blazes in Bulgaria, Albania, and Italy over the weekend. It reached 42.4C in central Greece on Sunday, and neighbouring Turkey recorded its highest ever temperature, 50.5C, in the south-eastern city of Silopi.

Climate change role underscored

The European Commission's president, Ursula von der Leyen, said the fires underlined the impacts of climate change. She posted on Twitter: "The terrible wildfires in the Balkans and around the Mediterranean are a reminder of how urgent it is to tackle the crisis of climate change. The EU is determined to support those affected."

Record temperatures in Europe and around the world

Scientists have long warned that global heating is making extreme weather more likely and more intense, including hotter temperatures and longer, more intense heatwaves. Increasingly extreme weather has been recorded around the world in recent years, including soaring temperatures in the Arctic, and many scientists believe that climate change is a factor contributing to these events.

What's next?

With the link between climate change and extreme weather increasingly clear, countries will need to prepare for and adapt to these more frequent and severe events. Von der Leyen's comments indicate that the EU will support those affected by wildfires, but the broader issue of climate change will require a global effort.