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Lightning Strike in Czech Republic Injures 18 People

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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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Italy hit by severe flooding after heavy rain

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Storms and heavy rainfall have caused significant flooding in northern Italy, with cities like Padua and Vicenza heavily affected. Emergency services have been using dinghies to rescue residents, and footage shows cars floating in the streets. The governor of the Veneto region described the severe weather as a “water bomb.” In contrast, southern Italy, including Sicily, is experiencing an unusual heat wave with temperatures reaching up to 35°C.

Professor Marco Marani from the University of Padua, an expert on climate change, told Corriere del Veneto that extreme weather events are becoming more frequent due to global warming. In Padua, the banks of the Muson dei Sassi river collapsed, causing severe flooding. In Borgo Mantovano, Lombardy, a freight train was overturned by gusts up to 200 km/h. Milan saw 130 mm of rain in one day, leading to flash floods, the most intense May rainfall in over 170 years.

The Veneto region declared a state of red alert, particularly between Vicenza and Verona, where 70 mm of rain fell in 30 minutes, causing water basins to overflow. One person is missing in Como after a bridge collapse.

In the south, Sardinia is experiencing dry conditions, adversely affecting wheat harvests, and water restrictions are expected later in the summer. Prof. Marani emphasized the scientific evidence linking increased frequency of extreme weather events to climate change, underscoring the need to revise water defense calculations and manage climate change effectively.

A recent State of the Climate report by the EU climate agency Copernicus and the World Meteorological Organization highlighted the urgency of climate action and improved flood defenses, noting that in 2023, one-third of European rivers breached high flood thresholds, with 16% surpassing severe levels.

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Over 40 People Killed in Devastating Mediterranean Wildfires

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A deadly wave of Mediterranean wildfires has resulted in over 40 deaths and forced thousands to evacuate in Algeria, Italy, and Greece.

The situation remains dire as high temperatures and dry conditions persist, making firefighting efforts challenging. The island of Rhodes has declared a state of emergency, and other regions, including Corfu, Evia, Sicily, and Puglia, have also been severely affected.

Climate scientists warn that human-induced climate change played a significant role in the intensity of this month’s heatwave across Southern Europe, North America, and China. Italy faced contrasting extreme weather events, with deadly storms in the north and wildfires in the south.

Portugal, Croatia, and France also witnessed wildfires and took measures to combat them. The widespread impact of these fires has caused immense human and economic losses across the region.

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Storms ravage northern Italy as Sicily burns

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Italy is experiencing severe and unprecedented weather conditions. In Sicily, there are ongoing wildfires due to record-breaking temperatures, with Palermo being particularly affected. The fires have caused significant damage and are threatening towns and cities across the island. There have been evacuations of resorts and tourist areas, and Palermo Airport had to temporarily close due to the proximity of wildfires.

In the northern regions, violent storms and strong winds have uprooted trees, damaged buildings, and injured people. Some places experienced hailstones as large as tennis balls, which caused further damage to property and crops. Tragically, there have been casualties as a result of falling trees during the storms.

Local authorities have issued warnings and precautions to residents, advising them to avoid public parks and places with trees at risk of snapping off. The extreme weather has also affected the city of Milan, with the historical Sforza Castle closing to the public due to weather-related damage.

Italian officials, including the mayor of Milan, have acknowledged the impact of climate change on these extreme weather events and emphasized the need to take action. The situation is being closely monitored, and several regions have requested the government to declare a state of emergency.

The situation in Sicily has been exacerbated by an ongoing heatwave, with temperatures reaching more than 47.5°C (117°F) in Catania. Hospitals and emergency services are overwhelmed with patients seeking medical attention for smoke inhalation and heat-related illnesses. The fires are causing widespread environmental damage and have been described as an “unprecedented catastrophe.”

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has acknowledged the severity of the situation and the challenges faced in firefighting due to the combination of high temperatures and strong winds.

Overall, Italy is grappling with the devastating impact of extreme weather events, which have been linked to climate change, and calls for urgent action to address the issue are increasing.

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Storms in Europe cause huge damage and disruption

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Central Europe, including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, has been hit by severe storms and heavy rainfall, leading to significant damage and disruptions. Many towns and cities in the region have experienced torrential rain, causing floods and forcing the closure of numerous roads.

The rail traffic has also been affected, with the Hamburg-Berlin line and a major north-south line between Kassel and Goettingen being closed due to storm damage. Switzerland has also faced thunderstorms, resulting in numerous calls to the fire department.

Strong winds reaching speeds of up to 135 km/h have uprooted trees, damaged roofs, and street infrastructure, although no casualties have been reported. Austria has witnessed several landslides that have affected homes, and the state of Carinthia experienced large hailstones of up to 8 centimeters in diameter, causing significant damage to crops.

Videos circulating on social media show violent storms and flooded streets, including the complete submersion of the forecourt and road in front of the Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe ICE train station.

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