On the Spanish island of La Palma, a forest fire forced the evacuation of more than 500 residents.
The unfathomable Cerberus heatwave has been roasting Southern Europe, and a second heatwave dubbed Charon is hot on its heels, bringing even more terrible weather, like wildfires.
Since a volcanic eruption in 2021, this is the island’s first major natural disaster.
The Canary Island‘s El Pinar de Puntagorda, a forested region, is where the fire first broke out this morning.
Fernando Clavijo, president of the Canary Islands, said: ‘The number of people who need to be evacuated could reach 1,000. It depends on whether we can bring these strong winds under control.’
Around 346 acres have been destroyed in the blaze.
Island authorities have been forced to seek help from other territories in the archipelago, such as Gomera and Tenerife.
The second heatwave has been named after a Greek god who ferries souls into the underworld.
One man died in northern Italy due to the Cerberus weather front, named after the three-headed dog who guards the gates of the underworld in Greek mythology.
The European Space Agency warned: ‘Temperatures are expected to climb to 48°C on the islands of Sicily and Sardinia – potentially the hottest temperatures ever recorded in Europe.’
Health authorities have issued a red alert warning for 10 Italian cities, including Rome, Florence and Bologna.
‘Heat is a silent killer. So this is the main concern that people’s lives are at risk,’ said climate scientist Hannah Cloke.
Emergency measures have also been introduced for workers in Greece, while wildfires have broken out across the country, as well as in Croatia.