Extreme heat in Portugal kills 264 in a week

Portugal's Directorate General of Health (DGS) reported that 264 people died in the country in the past week due to extreme heat. According to the data released by the DGS, the extreme heat caused deaths particularly in people with chronic illnesses and those over the age of 75.

The DGS reported that extreme heat caused a 21.2 percent increase in the number of deaths normally estimated during this period.

The government has sounded the alarm

On the other hand, the Portuguese government declared a "state of alarm" due to the risk of forest fires due to the new heat wave expected to affect the country between August 3-7.

Interior Minister Maria Lucia Amaral said at a press conference regarding the state of alarm: "This decision was taken due to the need to take preventive and special measures against the continuing high temperatures, low humidity and the risk of fire in much of the country. Next week will be difficult."

Minister Amaral stated that entry into forested areas, lighting fires there, and working with machinery in forests and other rural areas are prohibited, and that the use of fireworks or other pyrotechnic devices will not be permitted, adding that permits have been suspended in all units involved in firefighting.

The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere announced that starting tomorrow, temperatures will exceed 40 degrees Celsius in many places across the country.

Source: AA