Europe tourists told to make 'extreme heat plans' as wildfires rage in Greece and nine French regions issue alerts

19 July 2023, 11:53

Europe is ablaze under a serious heatwave
Europe is ablaze under a serious heatwave. Picture: Alamy

By Will Taylor

British tourists holidaying in the heat of southern Europe will have to prepare "extreme heat plans".

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

In a stark assessment of rising global temperatures, travellers to hot weather regions in future years should limit their outdoor activities so they are less exposed to higher levels of heat, the UN's weather and medical bodies said.

The announcement follows wildfires raging around Athens while French regions and Italian cities have issued heat alerts.

Tourists will need to take proper precautions, such as regularly resting, wetting their skin and keeping a close eye on weather forecasts.

That comes on top of the typical precautions like using hats, sunscreen and dressing appropriately.

Read more: 'We are living in a nightmare': Wildfires rage across Europe as continent braces for hottest day ever

The World Health Organization and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said: "Extreme heat takes the highest toll on the lives and health of those least able to manage the deadly consequences, such as older persons, infants and children."

People with heart, kidney and lung conditions are also vulnerable, the agencies said.

Tourists in Rome try to keep cool
Tourists in Rome try to keep cool. Picture: Alamy

"The ability to change travel plans is advisable for travellers who are over 65 years of age, have pre-existing health conditions or have limited options for management of very young children."

Tourists have also been advised to keep their accommodation cool and to ensure they keep up to date with advice from local authorities.

Europe has been plunged into what the Italian media dubbed a "week of hell", with some parts hitting more than 40C. There are fears Europe will break its record temperature - 48.8C in Sicily, two years ago.

Read more: London Fire Brigade 'prepared' for heatwaves with new specialist training after UK wildfire destroyed 16 homes last year

Areas like Mandra have been devastated by fires
Areas like Mandra have been devastated by fires. Picture: Alamy
Thanassis Barberakis walks at his family shipyard damaged from the fire in Mandra, west of Athens
Thanassis Barberakis walks at his family shipyard damaged from the fire in Mandra, west of Athens. Picture: Alamy

In Greece, wildfires continue to rage west of Athens and in Corinth.

Firefighting planes have been called in while recent days, while thousands were forced to flee coastal resorts. Some 1,200 children had to be rushed out of a holiday camp about 50 miles west of the capital.

Blazes are also being tackled in the Swiss Alps.

A wildfire has broken out in Agia Sotira near Athens
A wildfire has broken out in Agia Sotira near Athens. Picture: Alamy

Almost every major Italian city has been put on a red alert for heat, with hospitals told to implement "heat codes".

This sees medical facilities set aside dedicated doctors to help people suffering from problems due to the warmth, such as heatstroke and dehydration.

Amid reports of people fainting in Rome - which reported a record 41.8C on Tuesday - Italy's health ministry said the amount of patients suffering from the heat had increased by 20%.

There has been so much demand for air conditioning that Palermo, in Sicily, saw power cuts.

Nine regions in southwest France have issued intense heat alerts.

Read more: One month of rain to fall in just 48 hours this weekend as UK prepares for 'washout summer'

Herault, Gard, Vaucluse, Var, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhone, Alpes-Maritimes, and both departments on Corsica have been told to "be very vigilant" by Meteo-France, the national weather service.

There are fears this heatwave could last for weeks. The WMO warned earlier in the week that temperatures would intensify around Wednesday and a "further continuation into August is likely".

The WMO has blamed unprecedented sea surface temperatures and low Arctic sea-ice levels.

Its senior heatwave adviser John Nairn said it has been worsened by global warming.

The US and China have also experienced heatwaves.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Exclusive
A small group of secondary school pupils working on practical experiments in a chemistry lab.

Ministers should consider shortening school holidays and letting teachers work from home, union chief says

JD Vance

Free speech is 'in retreat' across Europe, claims JD Vance - as US brands it a 'bigger threat than Russia'

oxford street with shoppers

Two arrested in Oxford St 'celebrity romance scam' after victims coerced into sending £200k to 'well-known boyfriends'

What if Ukraine were the UK? Could you accept surrendering a fifth of our country to Putin after so much sacrifice?

What if Ukraine were the UK? Could you accept surrendering a fifth of our country to Putin after so much sacrifice?

Most expensive pint revealed.

Most expensive pint in UK pubs revealed

One of the UK's 'most wanted' men sentenced to 12 years in prison after drug dealer evaded police for four years

One of the UK's 'most wanted' fugitives jailed for 12 years after drug dealer hunted down by police in Portugal

Anne Hodgson, 87, and Olwyn Smith, 82, with Dreamboy Max Hunter

Care home residents 'delighted' at male stripper visit

Police at the scene on the Broadway in Stratford

Three men stabbed in east London after 'large brawl' breaks out - with one arrested

The Met Office has issued a weather warning.

Snow and ice could cause disruption tomorrow, as Met Office issues yellow weather warning

Hostages (L-R) Sasha Trufanov, Sagui Dekel-Chen, and Yair Horn,

Hamas confirms names of Israeli hostages due for release on Saturday

Danielle McLaughlin's killer Baghat was finally found guilty today

Indian man is found guilty of raping and murdering Irish backpacker Danielle McLaughlin in a field in Goa

Starmer welcomes Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, to Downing Street

Starmer tells Zelenskyy Ukraine remains on 'irreversible path to NATO membership' as leaders share phone call

Kayaker Adrian Simancas after being briefly swallowed by a humpback whale

Kayaker breaks silence over 'terrifying' moment he was swallowed whole by humpback whale - then spat back out

William and Kate shared the sweet snap for Valentine's Day

Princess Kate and Prince William share sweet snap to mark Valentine's Day

67th GRAMMY Awards - Arrivals

Kanye West and Bianca Censori shut down ‘split’ rumours as they plan Valentine’s Day together

Pope Francis

Pope Francis to be admitted to hospital for bronchitis treatment