Originally published June 26, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified June 28, 2007 at 4:21 PM
Southern Europe sizzles in heat wave; Greece warns against unnecessary travel
A heat wave gripping southeast Europe has killed at least 30 people in Romania and prompted warnings against travel in parts of Greece where...
A heat wave gripping southeast Europe has killed at least 30 people in Romania and prompted warnings against travel in parts of Greece where temperatures have soared to 115 degrees, officials said today.
In Romania, the latest deaths were of elderly people who died of breathing or heart problems brought on by the heat which hit 106 degrees, the health ministry said.
In Greece, where the scorching weather has killed five people in the past two days, air conditioning systems working flat out pushed energy consumption towards an all-time high, and state offices closed early at noon to conserve power supplies.
Temperatures soared to 115 Fahrenheit in some parts of the country on Monday, and authorities expected the heat wave to continue for at least another three days, making this Greece's hottest June ever.
In Greece, with memories of a 1987 heat wave that killed hundreds, health officials said unnecessary travel should be avoided (for the next few days.)
"We have 100 ambulances stationed and on full alert in the capital," emergency services chief Nikos Papaefstathiou said.
In western Turkey, a 60-year-old man collapsed on a beach and later died in hospital as temperatures there topped 111 degrees. Turkey's western regions reduced working hours for state officials and authorities urged the elderly and children to stay at home, out of the heat.
Temperatures in the southern Italian city of Bari reached 113 degrees Fahrenheit, while the Sicilian capital of Palermo hit 108 degrees. Dozens of forest fires have broken out in southern Italy.
Material from the Associated Press and Reuters is included in this report.
.
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
Fewer fliers expected over holidays
U.S. airlines boost on-time arrivals
Covert TSA officers keep watch at airports
Holiday airfares keep climbing

Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Ken Auletta talks about Google with Brier Dudley at the Seattle Central Library.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Police: DNA from officer's slaying matches suspect
- Prosecutors consider charges against suspect in police shooting
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- Steve Kelley | Hasselbeck gives Seahawks' sagging season a stay of execution
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- Bill Clinton meets with Senate Dems on health care
- Trucker dies as big-rig plummets off SF bridge
- McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens
- Washington coordinator Nick Holt says his Huskies defense is improving
- Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
254 - House health bill unacceptable to many in Senate
247 - Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
175 - Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
143 - Alleged shooter tied to mosque of 9/11 hijackers
135 - Obama puts heat on Senate to speed health bill
123 - Resolute Fort Hood soldiers ready for return
119 - McGinn more than doubles his lead over Mallahan
106 - Josh Smith picks UCLA
72 - Cutaia says replay handled properly on Austin TD
69
- For 80-year-old Maple Valley man, hoops aren't just a dream
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Silver Lake restaurant destroyed by fire
- Pakistani-American cafe, bar owner on verge of being Granite Falls mayor
- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
- Taste | Ruth Reichl still reigns as queen of America's culinary scene
- All You Can Eat | Fruit flies: thrill to the kill
- Police: DNA from officer's slaying matches suspect





