Temperatures above 45 degrees are reported in Spain and Portugal. Turkey, France and Italy are affected by forest fires, and a heat record is expected in the United Kingdom.
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The heat wave has prompted authorities in countries along the Mediterranean to urge people to seek shelter and protect the most vulnerable from the heat.
“This is unprecedented,” said Agnes Pannier-Runacher, a minister in the French government, as 84 of the country’s 96 mainland departments were placed under an orange heat warning.
Near popular tourist attractions, ambulances are ready in case someone gets heatstroke, and firefighters are in action in France, Italy and Turkey.
Forest fire in Turkey
In the latter country, 50,000 residents have been evacuated in the western Izmir province as a result of a forest fire - which is spreading rapidly with the strong winds.
– Over 50,000 residents from 41 settlements have been temporarily evacuated to safe areas, Turkish emergency services wrote in a message on X.
It has already been reported that four villages and two urban neighborhoods have been evacuated.
In Italy, local media showed images of people running into the sea at a resort in Baia Domizia near Naples, as flames ripped through the pine forest behind them.
46 degrees
Over the weekend, the temperature rose to 46 degrees, a new high for June, the country's meteorological institute confirmed on Monday.
Portugal also recorded a new high for June with 46.6 degrees in Mora, according to figures from their meteorological institute.
In the UK, the record high for June is 35.6 degrees Celsius, and experts estimate a 10 percent chance of the record being broken as extreme heat continues in Europe. It could get even hotter on Tuesday as the calendar turns to July, reports Sky News.
There is a high risk of fire in London, and Fire Chief Thomas Goodall warns that it would take little for a fire to spread out of control when it is as dry as it is now, according to Sky News. They have already been called out on countless missions, according to Goodall.
High alert
Seven regions in central and southern Portugal, including the capital Lisbon, are on the highest alert level on Monday, with warnings of fires in many forest areas.
In Croatia, there is also a high level of preparedness along large parts of the coast, while a heat warning has been issued for extreme heat in Montenegro.
In Serbia, the country's meteorological service has also warned of severe and extreme drought conditions in many places.
The heatwave is expected to peak in France on Tuesday and Wednesday. Italy is not as lucky, with sweltering temperatures set to continue through the week and beyond.
