"Red Alerts" from Severe Heat Wave in Europe

Europe is bracing for a severe heat wave amid fears of tens of thousands of deaths, according to global news agencies. Authorities in several European countries have issued warnings to residents to exercise caution against the impending heat wave, which has already begun disrupting life in various cities. In Italy, authorities anticipate temperatures reaching 48.8 degrees Celsius, marking an unprecedented record, while temperatures are expected to exceed 40 degrees Celsius in other European countries. The Greek Minister of Culture announced the closure of the Acropolis, the country’s oldest archaeological site and the most visited in the capital, Athens, during the peak of the heat today and likely tomorrow due to the heat wave. Authorities in several European countries have already issued a number of red alerts as temperatures rise. These warnings come days after a study revealed that the harsh heat wave Europe faced last year resulted in over 61,000 deaths, suggesting that the current wave of heat, expected to be more severe, could lead to an even greater number of fatalities.