Europe has suffered from record-breaking heat and devastating wildfires this summer. Extreme weather has caused temperature records to be broken in several countries across central and eastern Europe, disrupting energy and transportation systems.
In Slovakia, a new high of 42C was reached in Dolné Plachtince, while record temperatures were also registered in Austria and Hungary. The extreme heat has forced authorities in Poland to shut down the Kozienice and Połaniec power plants.
Italy's health ministry has placed 27 major cities on red alert, the highest heat alert level, spanning from Trieste in the northeast to Palermo in Sicily.
The blistering weather has exacerbated dry conditions, leading to receding rivers and creating conditions for wildfires across the continent.