Eastern Europe wilts in heatwave
Eastern Europe has been hit by a near-record heatwave which has seen wildfires raging and people fainting in the streets.
Authorities in Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Macedonia, Bosnia and Albania issued warnings today for people to stay indoors and drink water.
Doctors in Belgrade said emergency teams have received over 600 calls from residents feeling sick from the heat.
“People are collapsing and falling on the streets,” said emergency clinic doctor Zeljko Bacevic.
One of the hottest spots was in Montenegro, where temperatures in the last few days reached more than 40C (104F), prompting authorities to recommend working hours be cut to skip the midday heat.
In Macedonia, authorities said people older than 60 and pregnant women should not go to work. In Bosnia, workers’ unions urged construction companies to halt work on open air construction sites.
In the central Bosnian city of Mostar, temperatures soared to 45C (113F) as children jumped on melting asphalt, leaving their footprints in the streets.
“The only way to deal with this is in the river,” said Mostar high school student Semir Hebib.
In the south of Bosnia, an increasing number of people are suffering from stomach infections caused by eating spoiled food, doctors said.
Montenegro and Albania are fighting several wildfires near their capitals and on the Adriatic coastline, but no major injuries or damage have been reported.
Meteorologists say temperatures in the Balkans are some 10 degrees C higher than usual. The heatwave, which has arrived from northern Africa, is expected to last for several more days.
