According to the latest report from Saudi Arabian authorities, 1,301 people died during this year's traditional pilgrimage to Mecca due to a scorching heat of about 52º C. ”Unfortunately, the number of fatalities reached 1,301, 83% of whom were not authorized to perform the 'hajj' (pilgrimage) and walked huge distances under the sun, without adequate protection and comfort,” the Saudi Health Ministry noted.
Wind chill factor included, Rio de Janeiro Sunday recorded for the second day in a row temperatures above 60º Celsius, Agencia Brasil reported. The Rio Alert System recorded 62.3ºC at the Guaratiba station, on the city's west side, at 9.55 am, the former Brazilian capital's City Council said.
Two-year-old Apollo Gabriel Rodrigues was pronounced dead on arrival at a São Paulo hospital on Wednesday after being neglected by the school bus driver and his wife, who left him in the vehicle all day in scorching temperatures.
A heat-wave is sweeping across parts of southern Europe and north-west Africa, with potential record-breaking temperatures in the coming days. Temperatures are expected to surpass 40C (104F) in parts of Spain, France, Greece, Croatia and Turkey. In Italy, temperatures could reach as high as 48.8C (119.8F), is reporting BBC.
The Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (CABA) Thursday equaled its all-time high temperatures dating back to March 7, 1952, according to the National Meteorological Service (SMN), thus making the capital one of the hottest places nationwide with 37.9 °C. Despite falling to 35.4 °C at 4 pm, the wind chill hit 43°C, the SMN said.
While a record 40.3°C was registered in UK on Tuesday, widespread extreme heat, wildfires and stress on health system were reported across the European continent.
An unprecedented heat wave is going through South America and some cities in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay have been forecast to be looking out for temperatures around 50ºC, it was reported, while 40ºC seems to have become the new normal.
Australia’s extreme weekend heatwave has begun, with temperatures set to soar to 40 centigrade and increase the risk of bushfires in some states. The Bureau of Meteorology has dubbed it “the most significant heat wave of the season yet” and said it will impact millions of Aussies.
Europe was bracing itself for a sweltering Saturday as the heat wave continued across the continent. The Meteo-France weather service lifted its red warning but forecast a very hot day across a large central band of the country with the mercury expected to rise to 42 degrees Celsius in some parts.
Temperatures were climbing on Sunday as Europe braced for a blistering heat-wave with the mercury set to hit 40 degrees Celsius as summer kicks in on the back of a wave of hot air from North Africa. Europeans are set to bake in what forecasters are warning will likely be record-breaking temperatures for June with the mercury set to peak mid-week.