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Eighteen people sustained injuries in the Czech Republic when a tree they were sheltering under was struck by lightning, according to local emergency services. The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon in the Liberec-Vratislavice castle park, situated in the northern Liberec region, approximately 55 miles (90 km) northeast of Prague.

Images and videos shared by the fire service show numerous emergency personnel and vehicles at the scene. While officials have not released detailed information about the injured individuals, local media reported that children were among those hospitalized. The park was hosting an event for International Children’s Day at the time.

Czech TV station CT 24 reported that five of the injured were children aged between two and 16, and that five adults required resuscitation at the scene. Vaclav Ricar, a spokesperson for the Liberec regional hospital, told local newspaper Liberecky Denik that the hospital had received 17 conscious patients, confirming that one child was airlifted to a hospital in Prague.

The Czech Republic experienced heavy rain and storms over the weekend, with reports of flooding affecting various parts of the country. Climate change, which has caused the world to warm by approximately 1.1C since the industrial era, contributes to more frequent extreme rainfall events. Temperatures will continue to rise unless significant emissions reductions are made globally.

Experts advise those caught outside in a thunderstorm to seek a low spot away from trees, fences, and poles. If you feel your skin tingle or your hair stand on end, it indicates that lightning is imminent. The recommended action is to crouch down, balancing on the balls of your feet with your hands on your knees and your head between them, to make yourself the smallest target possible and minimize ground contact.

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Amidst soaring temperatures, firefighters in Portugal are working diligently to contain wildfires that have spread across thousands of hectares. An overnight effort near Odemira involved around 800 personnel, leading to the evacuation of over 1,400 individuals. Tragically, nine firefighters have sustained injuries during the firefighting operations.

The Iberian Peninsula is expected to experience temperatures exceeding 40°C (104°F) this week. While three significant fires in Spain have been brought under control after scorching extensive areas, weather advisories persist across the country.

Portugal recorded its highest temperature of the year, reaching 46.4°C (116°F) in Santarém on Monday. A blaze that ignited near Odemira on Saturday was propelled southward into the Algarve’s hilly interior due to strong winds. Approximately 6,700 hectares (16,600 acres) of land have already been devastated, and numerous villages, tourist accommodations, and a camping site were evacuated. The mayor of Odemira described the situation as “critical, difficult, and complex.”

Elsewhere in Portugal, major fires prompted the closure of several sections of highways, including parts of the A1 connecting Lisbon and Porto. Firefighting efforts across both regions are being aided by sixteen waterbombing aircraft.

In response to the heightened fire risk, authorities have labeled over 120 municipalities in Portugal as being at maximum wildfire risk. Meanwhile, in Spain, fires near Cadiz, Huelva, and Catalonia consumed over 1,000 hectares (2,470 acres) collectively over the weekend.

This week’s heatwave marks the third to affect the Iberian peninsula this summer. According to Ruben del Campo of Spain’s State Meteorological Agency, the heatwave results from a substantial mass of hot, dry air originating from North Africa and is projected to be more intense, widespread, and longer-lasting than the two previous ones in July.

The increasing risk of such scorching and dry conditions that fuel wildfires is attributed to climate change. Global temperatures have already risen by around 1.1°C since the onset of the industrial era, and this trend will persist unless governments worldwide take significant measures to reduce emissions.

Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright