Europe is heating up

SIZZLING temperatures have swept across southern Europe in recent days, alarming UK holiday-makers planning trips to the region

A heatwave has taken hold across many popular British family holiday hot-spots in the Mediterranean, such as in Spain, Italy and Greece. Much of southern Europe has been in the high 30s, while some parts of southern Italy and areas in Greece have been in the low-to-mid 40s, which is eight to 12 degrees above the seasonal average for the region.

The hottest temperature recorded was around 45C. It has caused health issues, leading to a strain on local medical services during a busy tourist period.

Fifteen cities in Italy, most of them in the country's centre and south, have been under heat advisories due to a high level of risk for older adults, children and other vulnerable people.