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A heat wave covered much of Europe on Monday, with a record-hot first day of play at Wimbledon and high winds fanning forest fires in Turkey.
Heat warnings were issued for parts of Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany and the UK, with new highs expected on Wednesday before rain is expected to bring respite to some areas, as per an AP report.
“Extreme heat is no longer a rare event — it has become the new normal,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres tweeted from Seville, Spain, where temperatures hit 42 degrees Celsius (108 degrees Fahrenheit). He called for action to fight climate change, saying “the planet is getting hotter & more dangerous.”
Dr Hans Kluge, head of the World Health Organization’s Europe office, warned in a statement that the scorching heat “silently threatens the people who need protection most: older adults, children, outdoor workers and anyone living with chronic health conditions.”