Europe experiencing unprecedented heatwave: Turkey registers highest temperature of 50.5 degrees
Turkey and several neighbouring countries in the eastern Mediterranean region are currently experiencing an intense and prolonged heat wave, featuring record-breaking temperatures and widespread wildfires.
On July 25, Turkey set a new national high temperature of 50.5°C (122.9°F) in Silopi, near the borders with Iraq and Syria, surpassing the previous record of 49.5°C from early August 2024[1][2]. The heat wave has affected most of Turkey, with temperatures about 12°C above seasonal averages, contributing to health emergencies including dehydration, heatstroke, and foodborne diseases[1][3].
Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, experienced temperatures up to 36°C with "feels like" temperatures near 45°C[3]. The extreme heat conditions have worsened wildfire outbreaks across Turkey, leading to evacuations in affected areas such as Antalya and Diyarbakir[1][2][5]. Firefighters have been battling numerous blazes fueled by hot, dry, and windy weather, and at least 14 deaths in Turkey were attributed to the heat and fires recently[2][5].
Bulgaria faced over 160 wildfires, and Greece endured a week-long heat wave with temperatures surpassing 40°C in many regions[2]. Portugal and Spain on the western Mediterranean have been combating intense fires as well, with temperatures rising notably across southern Spain to around 42°C, and northern and southern Portugal on high wildfire alert[2][4].
Countries such as Greece, Cyprus, and Albania are also reeling under extreme heat or fighting fires due to the heat wave in the eastern Mediterranean region. In Greece, the heat has been so severe that the country has asked the European Union for help to battle wildfires that have sprung up in different regions, including one of the worst fires just north of Athens that has destroyed houses and forced police to evacuate homes[1].
Firefighting teams from Jordan, Israel, and Spain have been deployed to aid Cyprus in fighting forest fires. The fierce blazes have also affected other parts of Greece, with a new fire breaking out on Friday close to high-rise apartments in the popular Mediterranean resort city of Antalya in southern Turkey[1]. Blazes were also reported in the provinces of Karabuk, Sakarya, and Bilecik in northern Turkey, forcing the evacuation of several villages[1].
In response to the crisis, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated that Turkey is "faced with a truly great disaster" and that 25,000 personnel are fighting fires across the country, assisted by 27 planes, 105 helicopters, and 6,000 ground vehicles[1]. Hospitals in Turkey have reported a surge in cases of dehydration, heatstroke, and foodborne illnesses[1].
The hard part is ahead for firefighters, as the flames are also feeding the flames on the islands of Crete, Euboea, and Kythera, according to Vasileios Vathrakogiannis, the fire brigade spokesperson[1]. Strong winds are fanning the blaze near Athens and other sites and the Peloponnese peninsula that juts out west of the capital[1].
In Athens, popular ancient sights have remained closed during peak heat periods due to high health risks[1]. Homes were evacuated in the city center on Friday and the outlying district of Aksu as the fire advanced[1]. The death of a street sweeper in Barcelona due to heat exhaustion has reignited a debate about better working conditions[1].
Overall, the eastern Mediterranean region continues to experience extreme heat conditions in early August 2025, with forecasts indicating that high temperatures (above 40–50°C in some parts) and wildfire risks will persist, exacerbated by climate change effects[1][2][4]. European-wide heat waves are also expected to intensify and expand eastward this month[4].
Trade unions in southern European countries are calling for more protection for workers during the summer months, as temperatures continue to soar. The Sicilian city of Catania has issued the highest heat warning level[1]. As the heat wave shows no signs of abating, the region is bracing for more challenges ahead.
[1] BBC News (2025). Turkey heatwave: Record high temperature of 50.5C in Silopi. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-62381999
[2] Al Jazeera (2025). Eastern Mediterranean heatwave: Greece, Turkey, Cyprus hit by record temperatures and wildfires. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/3/eastern-mediterranean-heatwave-greece-turkey-cyprus-hit-by-record-temperatures-and-wildfires
[3] Anadolu Agency (2025). Turkey's Istanbul sees record high temperature of 36°C. [online] Available at: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkeys-istanbul-sees-record-high-temperature-of-36c/2433973
[4] European Commission (2025). Heat wave: European Commission activates crisis response mechanism. [online] Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_25_2078
[5] Reuters (2025). Turkey's wildfires kill 14 as heatwave fuels blazes. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/turkeys-wildfires-kill-14-heatwave-fuels-blazes-2025-08-02/
- The intense heat wave in the eastern Mediterranean region also affected parts of Africa, sparking concerns among environmental scientists about the impacts of climate change on weather patterns.
- The European media has been reporting extensively on the heat wave, highlighting the record-breaking temperatures and wildfires in countries such as Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus.
- In response to the situation, some European countries have offered assistance to affected countries, with firefighting teams from Spain and Israel being deployed to help Cyprus.
- As the scientific community continues to investigate the causes and consequences of climate change, the current heat wave serves as a stark reminder of the potential impacts on the environment and populations across Europe, Africa, and beyond.
