Foreign Office warns UK tourists in Spain, Greece, Turkey and Cyprus

Foreign Office warns UK tourists in Spain, Greece, Turkey and Cyprus

UK tourists in Spain, Greece, Turkey and Cyprus have been issued a warning by the Foreign Office, following reports of an impending heatwave. Northern Europe is currently experiencing chart topping temperatures, with more heat expected over the next few weeks, just as the summer holidays kick in. The UK has also experienced high temperatures and sunny skies, with experts warning of another heatwave expected at the end of this month. For those travelling to France for a break away, the national weather agency, Meteo France, has reiterated Foreign Office warnings, stressing how hot weather can put “everyone at risk, even healthy people.” READ MORE: Brits ‘snubbing’ Spain, Greece and Turkey for holidays and ‘looking elsewhere’ Portugal also saw its highest temperature so far this year with a whopping 40.5 degrees recorded, while parts of Spain experienced conditions higher than 42 degrees, the Mirror said. And while this weather can be blissful for some, in areas of Greece the high temperatures have caused wild fires. Chios is suffering from the wildfires at the moment, with locals reportedly evacuated after the island erupted into flames last weekend. A state of emergency was declared following the incident, with reports from yesterday highlighting the wildfires are still gripping the island, with firefighters doing their best to tame the blaze. FCDO guidelines have covered these issues above, advising UK tourists over the conditions which could be expected if a heatwave occurs. Greece’s travel page said: “Greece can experience extreme natural phenomena such as earthquakes, wildfires, extreme heat and flash floods. “Take extra care when planning a hike or walk, especially during higher temperatures than you are used to. Trails often lack shade and the quality of route markings can vary. “Do not light fires as it is both dangerous and illegal due to the high risk of wildfires.” The Foreign Office page for Turkey added: “Extreme temperatures can affect many areas of Turkey over the summer months. Wildfires happen frequently in Turkey during summer.” In Spain, the FCDO has warned: “Temperatures in some parts of Spain can change very quickly. Take extra care when planning a hike or walk. Check local weather reports for warnings of extreme heat or cold temperatures.” READ MORE: Brits ‘snubbing’ Spain, Greece and Turkey for holidays and ‘looking elsewhere’ And in Cyprus officials said: “The Department of Meteorology of Cyprus issues warnings for severe weather, especially during summer. Weather can sometimes cause travel disruption.” An expert in environmental systems, Bas Amelung, from Wageningen University has claimed holiday hotspots such as Spain, France, Italy, Greece, and Turkey could increasingly reach blistering temperatures. He warned: “Countries such as Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Turkey that currently attract the traditional ‘sun and sand’ summer tourists are likely to become too hot for comfort in the summer.” “People take decisions based on their perceptions. So if a large majority of holidaymakers thinks some European destinations will soon be ‘too hot’, they may well start adapting, either by going somewhere else in summer or by going to the same place in another season.”

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