**Europe Endures Record-Breaking Heatwave, Hottest June Ever in Spain and England**

**Spain and England see new temperature records as wildfires blaze in Turkey and Portugal struggles with relentless heat; climate experts warn of rising risks due to changing global temperatures.**

As Europe swelters under extreme heat, Spain and England have officially recorded their hottest June ever. Spain's weather agency, Aemet, declared this month "extremely hot," with an average temperature soaring to 23.6°C (74.5°F), exceeding the typical averages for the traditionally warmer July and August months. Meanwhile, the UK's Met Office confirmed a mean temperature of 16.9°C for June, marking a new high for the month since records began in 1884.

In addition, mainland Portugal reported a staggering daily temperature of 46.6°C, setting a record for June. The country’s average temperature data will be released in the coming days. In Turkey, rampant wildfires necessitated the evacuation of over 50,000 individuals, particularly in the western province of Izmir, amidst ongoing battles against hundreds of blazes across the nation. Tragically, two fatalities occurred in Italy due to heat-related incidents.

As of July 1, temperatures across the Iberian Peninsula spiked to 43°C in various regions, although Aemet has indicated that a cooling trend will be arriving soon. Overnight lows reached uncomfortable highs of 28°C in Seville and 27°C in Barcelona. The UK also experienced a record-breaking day with a high of 34.7°C recorded at St James's Park in London—making it the hottest day of the year thus far.

Monday's top temperature in the UK was noted at Heathrow Airport at 33.1°C, and Wimbledon reached 32.9°C, marking the tournament's hottest opening day in its history. According to initial data from the Met Office, the UK’s mean temperature of 15.2°C for June ranks as the second highest recorded, just behind the 15.8°C noted earlier this year.

In France, the heatwave has been relentless, with cities logging some of their hottest temperatures on record for June. Paris Orly Airport hit 37.6°C, prompting the closure of the Eiffel Tower for safety due to the extreme conditions. The Paris region issued its first red alert for heat in five years, impacting nearly 1,900 schools and colleges across multiple affected areas.

Italy's Tuscany region saw a 20% increase in hospital admissions, particularly as 21 out of 27 cities faced the highest heat alert. Specific regulations have been implemented in Lombardy to protect outdoor workers during peak temperatures, banning work from 12:30 to 16:00.

Further along, temperatures in Greece rose close to 40°C, igniting wildfires in coastal areas near Athens, forcing evacuations, while Germany braced for highs nearing 38°C.

The ongoing heatwave has also drawn attention to environmental and health hazards, with rising temperatures adversely affecting aquatic ecosystems and contributing to invasive species like the poisonous lionfish in the Adriatic Sea. The human rights implications of climate adaptation were raised by UN officials, emphasizing the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels and address climate change.

Climate scientists have noted that human-induced factors exacerbate these extreme weather events. Richard Allan, a climate science professor at the University of Reading, stated that the increasing levels of greenhouse gases hamper the planet's ability to dissipate heat, leading to heightened intensity of heatwaves.

With the situation continuing to unfold, Europe finds itself in a pivotal moment, grappling with the consequences of a rapidly changing climate and its profound impact on the environment and public health.