Europe battles deadly heat as wildfires spread across several countries
Europe continued to face the impact of extreme heat on Friday as deadly wildfires, record temperatures and health warnings affected several countries.
In southern Spain, at least 12 people were killed and 23 remained missing after a major wildfire swept through Los Gallardos in Almeria province.
The blaze, described by Andalusian authorities as the region's worst wildfire to date, has burned more than 4,000 hectares (9,883 acres). Four people were critically injured and four others suffered less serious injuries.
Officials said the fire, believed to have started in a roadside ditch, spread rapidly due to strong winds and exceptionally dry conditions following recent heatwaves. Around 150 members of Spain's Military Emergency Unit joined firefighting operations, while road closures and evacuations remained in place. Separately, about 1,000 people were evacuated because of another active wildfire in Malaga province.
Belgium reports record heatwave death toll
Belgium recorded 1,747 excess deaths during a heatwave that lasted from June 18 to July 1, making it the country's deadliest such event since records began in 2000, according to health institute Sciensano.
Excess mortality reached 47.8%, with Wallonia recording the highest increase at 76%. The institute said prolonged high temperatures and elevated ozone levels contributed to the exceptional death toll, while warning that the impact extended beyond elderly people, with significant excess mortality also recorded among those under 65.
The extreme heat has also exposed shortcomings in public infrastructure. In Brussels, only one in four Dutch-language schools has a ventilation system, prompting renewed calls for climate-resilient upgrades after several schools and childcare centres were forced to close during recent heatwaves.
Heat alerts across western Europe
The Netherlands will activate its National Heat Plan for the second time this summer on Saturday as temperatures are forecast to exceed 30C across much of the country. Authorities urged residents, particularly vulnerable groups, to stay hydrated, keep cool and watch for signs of heat-related illness.
France continued battling multiple wildfires as new blazes erupted near Marseille and in western and southwestern regions. More than 25,000 hectares have burned since the start of the year—about double the area affected during the same period in 2025. Officials warned that although weather conditions may temporarily improve over the weekend, the wildfire threat remains high.
The UK also remained in the grip of its third heatwave of the year. Meteorological authorities said 2026 has already recorded eight days with temperatures of at least 34C, the highest annual total on record, surpassing previous records set in 1976 and 2020. Heat health alerts remain in force across large parts of England.
Source:AA
