Story timeline
Wildfires and drought crisis across Europe
Compiled Aug 3
A severe heat wave has triggered widespread wildfires and drought conditions across Europe, with major blazes burning in France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Norway. More than 200,000 people have been evacuated in France and Spain alone, and at least three firefighters have died battling the fires. Beyond the flames, the prolonged heat and lack of rainfall are causing secondary crises: Dutch dikes are under structural strain, German river trade is disrupted, and falling water levels on the Danube are threatening hydroelectric power supplies in Central and Eastern Europe. Governments in the region are now working to prevent energy shortages as the environmental and infrastructure toll continues to mount.
10 developments over 102 days
French prosecutors summon Elon Musk over allegations of child abuse images and deepfakes on X
Elon Musk has been summoned to Paris as part of an investigation into alleged misconduct on the social media platform X
Bonnie Tyler, who topped the charts with epic 'Total Eclipse of the Heart,' has died at 75
Bonnie Tyler, the gravelly voiced Welsh pop star known for “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” has died at 75
Hundreds of firefighters battle wildfire in southern Spain that killed at least 12
Firefighters in Spain are battling one of the country's deadliest wildfires, which has killed at least 12 people
People killed in Bangkok music bar fire were found trapped in windowless bathrooms
Most of the people who were killed in a huge fire in a Bangkok music bar were found trapped in windowless bathrooms where they may have sought to escape the flames that claimed at least 27 lives
The band playing when a Bangkok bar caught fire mourns its members among the 33 dead
A tragic flash fire at a Bangkok music bar has claimed at least 33 lives, including four members of the bar's band
Massive fire becomes Norway's largest in modern times after destroying more than 100 homes
Authorities say the largest residential fire in modern Norwegian history has destroyed over 100 homes
Louvre reopens Apollo Gallery after a brazen heist, but no jewels are on display
The Louvre's Apollo gallery is reopening to the public for the first time since last year's crown jewels heist
More than 200,000 people flee raging wildfires in France and Spain, some escaping by boat
Massive forest fires are raging out of control in southwestern France and central Spain, forcing authorities to evacuate around 200,000 people
Heat dome expands across the central United States, creating dangerous conditions for millions
A heat dome is set to expand across much of the central United States, pushing temperatures above 100 degrees from Dallas to North Dakota
Southern Europe burns as 3 firefighters die and France battles blaze 4 times the size of Paris
Fire crews in southwest France are battling a massive blaze four times the size of Paris, while two firefighters were killed fighting a wind-driven blaze on the Greek island of Crete