European heatwave forecast to hit peak as health warnings issued in Spain, Italy, and Greece

Tourists and residents swelter in heat as temperatures rise to 44C in Spain, with forest fires in Greece and Croatia

Children cool off as they play on a fountain at Stavros Niarchos foundation Cultural Center, in Athens. Picture: AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris

A fierce heatwave is continuing to roll across southern and central Europe, bringing temperatures of up to 44C (111.2F) to parts of Spain, sparking forest fires in Greece and Croatia, and prompting governments to urge people to take special care as the mercury rises.

In Spain, the state meteorological agency, Aemet, said temperatures on Friday could hit 40C across large parts of the country – and even 44C in areas of Andalucía – as the first heatwave of the summer hit. Aemet said the high temperatures, caused by a mass of “very hot, dry and dusty air” from North Africa, were expected to last until Saturday.