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       Watch a view of Kalyvia, Greece, where wildfires have sparked evacuations of coastal towns amid a summer heatwave.

       Smoke continues to rise across the sky on Monday 17 July, while sizzling temperatures have swept across Europe in recent days and the heatwave has taken hold across many popular holiday hotspots in the Mediterranean.

       Much of southern Europe has been in the high 30s, while some parts of southern Italy and areas in Greece have been in the low-to-mid 40s, which is eight to 12 degrees above the seasonal average for the region.

       The hottest temperature recorded was around 45C and the heatwave has caused health issues, leading to a strain on local medical services during a busy tourist period.

       Forecasters say in the coming days parts of Italy and Greece could push the 48.8C recorded in Syracuse, Sicily in August 2021, the highest temperature ever recorded in Europe.

       Recommended Europe heatwave: Italy braces for record-breaking heat as temperatures to soar today Greek holiday villages evacuated as wildfires rage during scorching Europe heatwave ‘It’s terrifying’: Spain braces for worst of heatwave

       The hot weather is set to continue for at least another week.

       More about Greece wildfires Smoke temperatures Mediterranean Independent Live Streams

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       1/ 1Watch as wildfires rage and smoke rises across Greek coastal town

       Watch as wildfires rage and smoke rises across Greek coastal town

       REUTERS

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