Earlier in the week, Europe has been plagued by temperatures of around 40 degrees in several places. Deaths have been reported, warnings have been issued and heat records have been measured.
According to weather forecasts for the weekend and the beginning of next week, it will continue to be warm – but not quite as high temperatures. In Rome and Madrid, for example, it is expected to be 34 degrees on Sunday.
In the city of Mora, east of Lisbon, a heat record of 46.6 degrees was set just under a week ago. Now the forecast shows temperatures between 36 and 38 degrees in the coming days.
Several countries have been affected by forest and land fires during the week – including Greece. Near the city of Ierapetra on the south coast of Crete, fires raged, leading to thousands being forced to evacuate, including Swedes. During the night to Saturday, the extinguishing work was still ongoing but the fire was reported to be "withdrawing", according to the rescue service.
Greece's meteorological institute warns that temperatures will rise again during the weekend. On Monday, it is expected to be hot – over 40 degrees – in the inland. Along the coast, the temperature is expected to be a few degrees lower.
In Turkey, Agriculture Minister Ibrahim Yumakli announced that the rescue service had gained control of ten major fires in the western parts of the country, reports AP. A forestry worker has died as a result of his injuries, which is the third death in the province of Izmir related to the fires.
During the past week, the rescue service has fought 600 fires there. Turkey has also sent two firefighting planes to Syria, which is also affected by land fires.
