July 18

Scorching heat is wreaking havoc across Europe, sparking wildfires in many parts of the continent.

European Union authorities monitoring forest fires say that, as of Sunday, more than 4,500 square kilometers in EU member countries had been burnt this year. That is equivalent to more than twice the area of Tokyo.

In Spain, the daytime high soared above 40 degrees Celsius on Sunday.

Meteorologists in Britain are warning that temperature could reach 40 degrees on Monday.

The Portuguese government said on Saturday that 659 people had died in the past week due to the record heatwave.

Spain's government says the current heatwave has claimed the lives of 360 people.

NHK