2024-08-14 17:24:05
A new report in the journal Nature Medicine says 2023 was the hottest year on record in Europe, with around 50,000 heat-related deaths. Now scientists are warning that 2024 could be even hotter, with local authorities imposing water restrictions and warning tourists to brace for extreme weather.
In 2023, the brunt of the heatwave was felt in southern Europe. Greece topped the list with 393 deaths per million inhabitants, followed by Bulgaria (229), Italy (209), Spain (175), Cyprus (167) and Portugal (136).
In absolute numbers, Italy has the highest death toll from the heat, with 12,743. Spain has 8,352 and Germany has 6,376. Greece, France and Romania have also reported thousands of heat-related deaths.
The study highlights the disproportionate impact on vulnerable groups. Women had a 55% higher mortality rate than men, and people over 80 were particularly at risk, with a 768% higher mortality rate than younger age groups.
The European Union Climate Service noted that a 13-month streak of record monthly temperatures ended in July 2024. However, July 2024 is still 1.48 degrees Celsius hotter than the average for the same period in 1850-1900, before widespread fossil fuel use.
Fires have been raging across Europe for more than a month, burning thousands of acres of land. Extreme heatwaves have gripped the Mediterranean and the Balkans, with temperatures topping 40 degrees Celsius. The UK Foreign Office has warned tourists to Greece and Spain to prepare for extreme weather and drought, prompting local authorities to impose water restrictions.
Parts of southern Europe have been evacuated due to fires, including a recent incident in Athens that has been described as a “disaster of biblical proportions”. Summer fires are common, but unusually hot and dry weather has made them more frequent and severe.
Bulgaria has become the worst-hit European country by fires in 2024, with some 38,000 acres burned so far, more than double the area affected in 2023. Fire crews from Greece, France, the Czech Republic, Sweden and Spain have been sent to help.
Italy is also struggling with extreme heat. Several popular Italian tourist cities have seen an increase in emergency care for heat-related illnesses. Despite the harsh weather, authorities say the extreme conditions have not deterred tourists, with international arrivals expected to be 2.5% higher than in 2023.
Earlier, Cursor wrote that a tourist made an order at an Indian cafe, but was shocked by the dish he received.