CNN
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A deadly, deadly heat wave is sweeping across Europe, likely to raise record temperatures and raise serious concerns about the effects on people’s health, especially as the continent welcomes an influx of tourists.
Parts of Spain, France, Greece, Croatia and Italy are facing sweltering heat, with temperatures soaring above 40C (104F).
“Temperatures are rising across Europe this week amid a prolonged, intense heat period. The European Space Agency (ESA) said in a statement.
Heat is one of nature’s deadliest hazards – more than 61,000 people died in Europe’s sweltering summer heatwave last year. The current heatwave – dubbed “Cerberus” by the Italian Meteorological Society after the three-headed monster that appears in Dante’s “Inferno” – has led to more concerns for people’s health, particularly as it coincides with one of the busiest periods for tourism. Summer is Europe’s busiest season.
In Italy, temperatures can reach record levels. Sardinia and Sicily are expected to approach the current European temperature record of 48.8 degrees Celsius (nearly 120 Fahrenheit), according to the European Space Agency.
On Friday, Italy’s Health Ministry issued a warning of “severe” health risks for 15 cities – including Rome and Florence – where the heat wave is set to continue into Saturday and Sunday.
It has already claimed at least one life in Italy, where a 44-year-old road construction worker in the northern city of Lodi collapsed and died in hospital on Tuesday.
In Rome, a number of tourists collapsed this week due to heatstroke, as a British tourist left in front of the ancient Roman Colosseum on Tuesday.
Italy “has the sad record of the European country with the highest number of deaths from heat waves,” Alessandro Meani, president of the Italian Society of Environmental Medicine (SIMA), told state broadcaster RAI on Wednesday.
In Greece, authorities said temperatures could reach 44 degrees Celsius (111.2 Fahrenheit) on Friday or Saturday.
Greece’s Culture Ministry said it would close the Acropolis in Athens from midday local time until 5pm on Friday due to the heat. The police said in a tweet on Friday that the police and emergency services provided assistance to a tourist who was experiencing difficulties due to the heat on the Acropolis.
According to forecasts by the Greek Meteorological Service, temperatures will peak at 42°C (107.6°F) in Athens by midday.
In Croatia, dozens of firefighters were deployed as a large forest fire raged near Grebastica, a small town near the port city of Sbenik, CNN affiliate N1 reports.
Nearly 80 firefighters with 28 fire engines were deployed on Thursday to put out the blaze, with the help of three Fire Canada planes and two air tractors, N1 reported.
Footage of the scene shows cars and houses In the town destroyed, and according to N1, the area around Gribästica was left without electricity. Reuters reported on Friday that clouds of smoke could be seen over villages from nearby tourist beaches.
Temperatures are expected to remain around 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) across the region in the coming week.
called heatsilent killer“Because you can’t see it but it can quickly turn deadly. The very young, the elderly and those who have to spend long periods of time outside, such as outdoor workers and people experiencing homelessness, are particularly at risk.
The body is used in temperatures ranging from About 36 to 37 degrees Celsius (97 to 99 degrees Fahrenheit). When it rises above this, the body sweats to cool off but the higher the temperature, the harder it is to cool off – especially if it’s humid, which means sweat can’t evaporate easily.
Heat exhaustion can happen when your body overheats. This can cause dizziness, nausea, and headache. Heatstroke is more serious and occurs when your body temperature rises to 40°C (104°F) or higher. It can if it is not treated damage organs or even cause death.
One of the main recommendations for people to protect themselves from the heat is to stay indoors and avoid exercise during the hottest parts of the day, especially in between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. When you are outside, stay in the shade.
Experts advise that people wear loose-fitting clothing, a hat and sunscreen and drink plenty of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty, but avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks.
It’s also important to be mindful of others, according to Judith Linden, associate professor in the department of emergency medicine at Boston University School of Medicine.
“If someone starts to feel dizzy, lightheaded, nauseated, or have a headache, this is the time to act immediately. That means getting them out of the heat and into a cool environment,” she told CNN this week.
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