A severe heatwave has left Europe reeling, claiming at least five lives in Italy and shattering the United Kingdom's all-time temperature record for the month of June. The escalating crisis has prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to voice deep concerns.

According to a report by the British newspaper The Guardian, temperatures in southern England soared to 35.8°C on Wednesday (June 24), marking the highest June temperature ever recorded in the country's history. The previous record of 35.6°C was set in Southampton back in 1976.

Meanwhile, intense heat in various regions of Italy has claimed four more lives, following the earlier death of an agricultural laborer who collapsed while working in a field. This brings the country's total death toll to five.

The Italian Ministry of Health has issued its highest alert level for 16 cities, including the capital, Rome. The country's meteorological department warned that temperatures could climb as high as 41°C over the coming days.

The extreme heat has also caused the air conditioning system at Florence’s world-renowned art museum to fail, forcing authorities to limit visitor entry and temporarily suspend ticket sales.

Furthermore, the heatwave has triggered widespread power outages across Italy, disrupting households and businesses, while sewage systems in several areas have also faced operational strains.

In Spain, June average temperatures have similarly hit record highs, with mercury levels surpassing 39°C in several regions.

Experts attribute this extreme weather across Europe to a plume of hot air moving northward from North Africa. They predict the heatwave could expand into Eastern Europe in the next few days.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that the European heatwave poses a severe risk to public health, calling for immediate and effective global action to combat the climate crisis.

Meteorologists also express concern that nighttime temperatures will remain abnormally high. In many affected areas, overnight temperatures are not expected to drop below 26°C or 27°C, compounding the public health risk.