A scorching heatwave is fuelling dozens of wildfires across parts of southern Europe, forcing thousands of people from their homes and pushing temperatures above 40C (104F). Red heat alerts have been issued in parts of Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and the Balkans, warning of significant risks to health.

Temperatures climbed above 100 F from Portugal to France to the Balkans, while half of Europe was battling its fourth consecutive month of drought.

‘Heatwaves don’t roar like storms – they creep in quietly, but can be just as deadly.’ A four-year-old boy died in Sardinia, Italy, earlier today after being found unconscious in his family’s car. He died of irreversible brain damage caused by heatstroke despite being airlifted to hospital in Rome.