Europe heatwave – live: Locals ‘refuse to evacuate’ amid Spain wildfire as Italy braces for sweltering 49C
Despite at least 4,000 people being evacuated in Spain as firefighters struggle to contain wildfires tearing through La Palma, the president of the Canary Islands has warned that some residents are refusing to leave their homes.
President Fernando Clavijo said that at least 13 houses were destroyed as the fire advanced, having already ravaged at least 45 square kilometres of land, as he urged those showing “resistance” to leaving their homes to “be responsible”.
Earlier, some tourists were reportedly sent to hospital in Athens, Greece as they arrived in droves at the Acropolis even as the authorities shut the monument’s gates between midday and early evening amid a severe heatwave.
Kim Adams, visiting from Scotland told Sky News: “It’s quite difficult today, really very hot”.
Temperatures in Italy are predicted to climb as high as 49C in Puglia, Sardinia and Sicily next week, as the heatwave gripping Southern Europe shows no sign of abating.
Red alerts for extreme heat have been issued in 16 cities across Italy as the Mediterranean country is gripped by blistering hot temperatures.
