Spain’s first major wildfire of the year has killed two people as a brutal heatwave breaks temperature records across Europe.
The wildfire has burned fast and furious through 6,500 hectares (16,100 acres) of land across several Catalan regions, local media reports the fire chief innsepctor as saying.
Spanish president Pedro Sanchez said his thoughts were with the families of those killed in the blaze.
“In these months of higher risk, please, let us take extreme precautions,” he said.
Turkey also battled wildfires for a third day, forcing the evacuation of about 50,000 people.
France has closed the Eiffel Tower summit and shuttered almost 2,000 schools as Spain and Portugal logged their highest-ever June temperatures as authorities took urgent measures across Mediterranean nations.
Italy banned outdoor work in some parts as red alerts were issued in 17 major cities. In Florence, power outages hit the city centre, and a worker near Bologna died in a suspected heat-related incident.
The current high-pressure system set in late last week, bringing temperatures up to 10C higher than normal for this time in summer, with the system moving east across Europe from the Iberian peninsula.
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Key Points
- Two killed in Spanish wildfire
- French government says at least two dead due to extreme heat
- Europe is world's fastest warming continent
- Schools and Eiffel Tower summit shut in France as red alert extended
- Barcelona logs hottest June in over a century
French government says at least two dead due to extreme heat
11:11 , Rachel ClunFrench minister for ecological transition Agnes Pannier-Runacher said two deaths have so far been linked to the heatwave, according to Le Parisien.
She added that more than 300 people received urgent treatment from firefighters.
Health minister Catherin Vautrin said it will take several days to fully understand the impact of the heatwave, Le Parisien reported, but said there had been a 15 per cent increase in medical emergency service activity in the Ile de France region on Tuesday.
In pictures: the heatwave in Spain
10:40 , Rachel ClunSpain has been enduring a heatwave since the weekend, with temperatures in parts of the country set to go past 40 degrees Celsius on Wednesday.
Madrid will reach 39C on Wednesday, while Campiña cordobesa in Cordoba will reach 43C.
Extreme weather causes flash flooding in Italy, killing one
10:10 , Rachel ClunIn other extreme weather, torrential rains in Italy’s north caused flash flooding on Monday, killing one.
A 70-year-old fruit seller had gotten out of his van in an attempt to escape the torrent of black water, after the Frejus river near Turin burst its banks, according to local newspaper Torino Cronaca.
The flooding forced the closure of all access to the town of Bardoneccia, while emergency services rescued four others who had been stuck in their cars.
Separately near Bologna, one of the cities under a heat alert Tuesday, a 46-year-old owner of a construction company collapsed and died while repaving a school parking lot, state-run RAI reported. An autopsy was being conducted to determine the cause, but heat was suspected.
Watch: Simon Calder explains your rights to cancel holidays in extreme heat and wildfires
09:39 , Rachel ClunIn pictures: young people beat the heat in Paris
09:08 , Rachel ClunTemperatures in Paris reached 38 degrees celsius on Tuesday as most of France sweltered in extreme temperatures. Nimes, in the country’s south, reached 41.3C.
Spanish firefighters work overnight to contain forest fires
08:42 , Rachel ClunWork continued throughout the night to fight large and erratic wildfires, with 50 crews working to contain the blaze ahead of another hot day on Wednesday.
The Catalan fire brigade said 130 firefighters will remain to battle the fire after crews spent the night extinguishing fires in buildings including sheds, and ruling out further deaths.
Temperatures are forecast to reach 38 degrees Celsius in parts of Catalonia on Wednesday, and the fire brigade said more storms - which brought strong gusty winds on Tuesday evening - are also forecast.
Two killed in Spanish wildfire
08:24 , Rachel ClunTwo people have died in a ferocious Spanish wildfire that burnt through 6,500 hectares (16,100 acres) of land across several Catalan regions.
Fire chief inspector David Borrell told Spanish news outlet elDiario.es the fire was particularly violent and fast moving, with the unpredictable flames forcing firefighters to withdraw at times.
Spanish president Pedro Sanchez said his thoughts were with the families of those killed in the blaze.
“A heartfelt embrace to the families of the two people who lost their lives in the extreme fire that is devastating Segarra, Noguera, and Urgell, in Lleida,” he said on X.
“My solidarity with all those affected and my appreciation for the emergency services working to extinguish it.
“In these months of higher risk, please, let us take extreme precautions.”
Italy bans outdoor work in some regions
07:45 , Shweta SharmaItaly banned outdoor work in some regions during the warmest hours.
The risks of working outside in searing temperatures were highlighted as trade unions attributed the death of a construction worker near the Italian city Bologna on Monday to the heat.
In Barcelona, authorities were looking into whether the death of a street sweeper over the weekend was also heat-related.
Europe is the world's fastest-warming continent, heating up at twice the global average, according to the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service, with extreme heatwaves starting earlier in the year and persisting for longer.
"What is exceptional ... but not unprecedented is the time of year," said World Meteorological Organization spokesperson Clare Nullis, adding that extreme heat episodes were seen now "which normally we would see later on in the summer."
What is a heat dome? Weather system explained
07:30 , Shweta SharmaLarge swathes of the UK and Europe are sweltering through a heatwave,with England’s southeast set to hit temperatures of 35C and parts of Europe including Paris, Rome and Athens to near 40C.
The extended period of above-average temperatures and tropical nights with minimum temperatures staying above 20C could be exacerbated by a heat dome.
Here, Rachel Clun looks at how the weather event is sending temperatures soaring across Europe.
What is a heat dome? Weather system explained as Europe faces sweltering temperatures
Full list of European countries under heatwave alerts as mercury soars to 46C
07:00 , Shweta SharmaTemperatures have soared to 46C in Spain as an “extreme heatwave” continues to grip much of Europe, triggering a series of weather alerts across the continent.
The continent is enduring its first major heatwave of the summer, with two deaths linked to extreme heat in Italy and hundreds of schools closed in France.
The record-high temperature of 46C was reported in the town of El Granado in southern Spain on Saturday, according to Spain’s national weather service, with the mercury also set to reach 40C in Paris.
Full list of European countries under heatwave alerts as mercury soars to 46C
Barcelona investigates street sweeper's death as Spain swelters in heatwave
06:40Spanish authorities are investigating whether a street sweeper's death over the weekend in Barcelona was caused by an intense heatwave gripping the country and region, the city council said.
The woman, who had been cleaning the old town in Barcelona on Saturday afternoon, died later that day at home, her sister told the Antena 3 TV station.
Her sister said the 51-year-old woman, identified just as Montserrat, had told a colleague she thought she "was dying."
Temperatures reached 30.4C in Barcelona on Saturday, weather agency AEMET said.
Prague zoo delivers ice to keep polar bears cool as Czech Republic swelters
06:14 , Shweta SharmaAs the Czech Republic braces for soaring temperatures this week, Prague zoo has made special arrangement for the animals.
Parts of the country are expected to hit 37C (98.6F) on Wednesday, with authorities urging caution amid the heatwave sweeping across much of Europe.
In Prague, the city’s zoo has taken creative steps to help animals beat the heat, distributing up to 10 metric tons of ice across enclosures.
The most eye-catching residents twin polar bears Aleut and Gregor, were seen digging into frozen pieces of squid encased in ice.
Marine heatwave pushes up Mediterranean Sea temperature
05:22 , Shweta SharmaMediterranean Sea temperatures surged in June in a marine heatwave, with a Greek scientist warning some species are under threat in what has likely been a record period.
The EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service said Copernicus Marine Service data showed sea surface temperatures on 22 June were more than 5Cs above the seasonal average.
The most intense warming in what it called a "marine heatwave" was observed in the western Mediterranean basin, including the Balearic Sea, off Spain, and the Tyrrhenian Sea, off the west coast of Italy, it said.
"We have seen temperatures we were expecting in the middle of August being recorded in June and ... this is why it is considered a record year for temperatures in the Mediterranean Sea," Christos Spyrou, associate researcher at the Academy of Athens research centre for atmospheric physics, said.
He said that the average sea temperatures in June were 3-6 degrees higher than the average between 1982-2023, which was used as a reference period.
"We expected these sea temperatures in August," Spyrou said, adding specific temperatures were not yet available.
"Some species will not be able to reproduce or survive in these conditions, especially in increasing temperatures.”
Europe is the world's fastest-warming continent, heating up at twice the global average, according to Copernicus, making extreme heatwaves occur earlier in the year, and persist into later months.
Several Italian regions banned outdoor work during the hottest hours of the day on Tuesday, France shut scores of schools and Spain confirmed last month as its hottest June on record as a severe heatwave gripped Europe, triggering widespread health alerts.
A 69-year-old Greek resident who gave his name as Christos said he had noticed the warming waters off Athens.
“I have been coming here for 11 years, I believe the sea is a little warmer than other years. Every year it gets warmer, both in winter and in summer," he said
In pictures: Sweltering heatwave scorches Europe
04:38 , Shweta Sharma
Schools and Eiffel Tower summit shut in France as red alert extended
04:20 , Shweta SharmaFrance is on high alert as temperatures soar to 40–41C, with the red alert extended till today.
National weather agency Meteo-France placed several departments under the highest red alert.
The Eiffel Tower's summit remains closed until Thursday for “everyone’s comfort and safety”.
Visitors to the Eiffel Tower without tickets were told to postpone their visits.
The number of schools shut across the country has surged to nearly 1,900, up from just 200 on Monday, in a dramatic response to the intensifying heatwave.
A Paris-Milan rail service was disrupted because of a mudslide on the French side of the Alps, with full service not expected to be fully restored until mid-July, French rail operator SNCF said.
Pour mardi 01 juillet 2025 :
— VigiMétéoFrance (@VigiMeteoFrance) July 1, 2025
🔴 16 départements en Vigilance rouge
🟠 68 départements en Vigilance orange
Pour mercredi 02 juillet 2025 :
🔴 16 départements en Vigilance rouge
🟠 67 départements en Vigilance orange
Restez prudents et informés :https://t.co/JGz4rTUvHP pic.twitter.com/zIaMsJRoG5
Barcelona logs hottest June in over a century
03:59 , Shweta SharmaBarcelona logged its hottest June since 1914, with an average temperature of 26C.
Monday alone saw a searing 37.9C, breaking all previous records for the month.
Barcelona is usually spared the worst heat in Spain, thanks to its location between hills and the Mediterranean.
What is a heat dome? Weather system explained
03:00 , Bryony GoochLarge swathes of the UK and Europe are sweltering through a heatwave,with England’s southeast set to hit temperatures of 35C and parts of Europe including Paris, Rome and Athens to near 40C.
The extended period of above-average temperatures and tropical nights with minimum temperatures staying above 20C could be exacerbated by a heat dome.
Here, Rachel Clun looks at how the weather event is sending temperatures soaring across Europe.
What is a heat dome? Weather system explained as Europe faces sweltering temperatures
Full list of countries affected by heatwave
02:00 , Daniel KeaneDozens of heat warnings are in place across France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and well as the Balkans, according to weather aggregator MeteoAlarm.
“Extreme heat is no longer a rare event – it has become the new normal,” UN secretary general Antonio Guterres warned. “The planet is getting hotter & more dangerous – no country is immune.”
Here, The Independent has put together a full list of European countries currently in the grip of a heatwave and the current advice being given to locals and tourists.
Full list of European countries under heatwave alerts as mercury soars to 46C
Europe is world's fastest warming continent
01:00 , Bryony GoochEurope is the world's fastest-warming continent, heating up at twice the global average, according to the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service, with extreme heatwaves starting earlier in the year and persisting for longer.
"What is exceptional ... but not unprecedented is the time of year," said World Meteorological Organisation spokesperson Clare Nullis, adding that extreme heat episodes were seen now "which normally we would see later on in the summer."
Higher temperatures in the Mediterranean Sea tend to reinforce extreme temperatures over land areas, she said.
'Heatwaves are silent killers' - the dangers of extreme heat
Wednesday 2 July 2025 00:00 , Bryony GoochExtreme heat kills up to 480,000 people annually around the world, according to insurance company Swiss Re, which notes this exceeds the combined toll from floods, earthquakes and hurricanes.
Dr Garyfallos Konstantinoudis, research fellow at the Grantham Institute, Imperial College London, said: "Heatwaves are silent killers.
"Unlike floods or storms, their impact can be invisible: people who die during extreme heat usually have pre-existing health conditions, and heat is rarely recorded as a contributing cause of death."
'Climate refuge' set up in southern Malaga by Red Cross
Tuesday 1 July 2025 23:00 , Bryony GoochThe Red Cross set up an air-conditioned "climate refuge" for residents in southern Malaga, said IFRC spokesperson Tommaso Della Longa.
Spanish Red Cross volunteers have been deployed to support the most vulnerable population groups – the very old and the very young, pregnant women, people working outdoors – and the National Society has launched a public-health information drive to provide advice on how to store medication safely and protect pets.
The Red Cross set up a “climate refuge”, air-conditioned down to the low twenties, to help residents “cope with the heat in comfort and with company, avoiding the isolation and loneliness” that extreme heat can impose, as people are forced to stay indoors.
Barcelona marks hottest June in over a century
Tuesday 1 July 2025 22:00 , Bryony GoochBarcelona recorded its hottest month of June since records started more than a century ago, Spain's national weather service said as Europe remained in the grip of the first major heatwave of the summer.
The Fabra Observatory, located on a hill overlooking the city, reported an average temperature of 26C, breaking records since 1914. The previous hottest average for June was 25.6C in 2003.
The same weather station said a single-day high of 37.9C for June was recorded on Monday.
UK experiences hottest day of the year so far as heatwave persists in Europe
Tuesday 1 July 2025 21:00 , Bryony GoochTemperatures peaked at 34.7C in the capital as the UK experienced its hottest day of the year so far as part of the heatwave that has gripped Europe.
Hottest day of the year recorded as temperatures in the UK hit 33C
Top of Eiffel Tower closes as heat persists in Paris
Tuesday 1 July 2025 20:00 , Bryony GoochTemperatures reached 40-41C in some areas of France, which led to the top floor of the Eiffel Tower closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, disappointing scores of visitors.
"I tried to get all organised before our departure and the result is nonsense," said Laia Pons, 42, a teacher from Barcelona who booked Eiffel tickets for her family three years ago.
When temperatures rise, the puddled iron used to build the Eiffel Tower expands in size and tilts slightly, with no impact on its structural integrity, according to its website.
Nearly 1,900 schools were closed, up from around 200 on Monday, in France.
Pictured: Tourists try to keep cool on the Spanish steps in Rome
Tuesday 1 July 2025 19:15 , Daniel Keane
Species under threat by marine heatwave
Tuesday 1 July 2025 18:15 , Daniel KeaneA Greek scientist has warned that some species are under threat due to a marine heatwave in the Mediterranean.
“We have seen temperatures we were expecting in the middle of August being recorded in June and ... this is why it is considered a record year for temperatures in the Mediterranean Sea," Christos Spyrou, associate researcher at the Academy of Athens research centre for atmospheric physics, said.
He said that the average sea temperatures in June were 3-6 degrees higher than the average between 1982-2023, which was used as a reference period.
"We expected these sea temperatures in August," Spyrou said, adding specific temperatures were not yet available.
Europe is world's fastest warming continent
Tuesday 1 July 2025 17:15 , Daniel KeaneEurope is the world's fastest-warming continent, heating up at twice the global average, according to the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service, with extreme heatwaves starting earlier in the year and persisting for longer.
"What is exceptional ... but not unprecedented is the time of year," said World Meteorological Organisation spokesperson Clare Nullis, adding that extreme heat episodes were seen now "which normally we would see later on in the summer."
Higher temperatures in the Mediterranean Sea tend to reinforce extreme temperatures over land areas, she said.
Watch: Drone footage shows Turkey firefighters battling huge flames in Izmir province
Tuesday 1 July 2025 16:42 , Rachel ClunIn pictures: Europe swelters through heatwave
Tuesday 1 July 2025 16:23 , Rachel Clun
What is a heat dome? Weather system explained
Tuesday 1 July 2025 16:03 , Rachel ClunLarge swathes of the UK and Europe are sweltering through a heatwave, which could be exacerbated by a heat dome.
Here is how that weather phenomenon works:
What is a heat dome? Weather system explained as Europe faces sweltering temperatures
Two deaths blamed on heatwave
Tuesday 1 July 2025 15:41 , Rachel ClunThe deaths of two workers, in Spain and Italy, have been blamed on the extreme heatwave.
In Spain, authorities are investigating the death of a Barcelona street sweeper who had been cleaning the city’s old town centre on Saturday afternoon. The woman died later that day at home, her sister told the Antena 3 TV station.
Near Bologna, one of the cities under a heat alert on Tuesday, the 46-year-old owner of a construction company collapsed and died while repaving a school parking lot, state-run RAI reported. An autopsy was being conducted to determine the cause, but heat was suspected.
Watch: Simon Calder explains your travel rights during a heatwave
Tuesday 1 July 2025 15:36 , Rachel ClunSpain and Portugal record record highs of 46C and above
Tuesday 1 July 2025 15:35 , Rachel ClunSpanish and Portuguese authorities have confirmed record-breaking June temperatures.
A record high of 46C was reported in the town of El Granado in southern Spain on Saturday, according to Spain’s national weather service.
In Portugal, authorities confirmed the 46.6C reached in the town of Mora, on Sunday was also a new June record.
'Extreme heatwave' continues to grip Europe
Tuesday 1 July 2025 15:30 , Rachel ClunAn “extreme heatwave” continues to grip much of Europe, triggering a series of weather alerts across the continent.
The continent is enduring its first major heatwave of the summer, with two deaths linked to extreme heat in Italy and hundreds of schools closed in France.
Dozens of heat warnings are in place across France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and well as the Balkans, according to weather aggregator MeteoAlarm.
“Extreme heat is no longer a rare event – it has become the new normal,” UN secretary general Antonio Guterres warned. “The planet is getting hotter & more dangerous – no country is immune.”
Read the full list of European countries experiencing a heatwave here:
Full list of European countries under heatwave alerts as mercury soars to 46C
