Current:Home > MyLightning strikes in Greece start fires, kill cattle amid dangerous heat wave -ProfitPoint
Lightning strikes in Greece start fires, kill cattle amid dangerous heat wave
View
Date:2025-04-18 16:59:26
Lightning strikes in northern Greece killed cattle and started fires during a dayslong heat wave affecting most of southern Europe.
Several fires were reported near the city of Kozani, 280 miles north of Athens following a dry thunderstorm in the area, authorities said Saturday.
Further north, near the Greek town of Florina, officials from a public agricultural insurance organization said lightning strikes killed nine cows at a cattle farm. Several other animals were injured.
Cattle farm owner Alexandros Tsikos told The Associated Press that he found the animals dead in a grazing area next to the cattle barn.
Temperatures eased slightly Saturday but remained as high as 104 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of the country, while the risk of wildfires was very high outside Athens and in much of southern Greece.
It's not the first time dangerous heat has impacted the Mediterranean nation this summer. Three tourists visiting Greece died amid extreme temperatures and heat waves in June, CBS News previously reported, including an American man from New York.
Temperatures peaked at around 109 degrees, prompting closures of schools, historical sites and more. Meteorologist Panos Giannopoulos told Greek state television channel ERT that it's the earliest such heat wave.
"This heat wave will go down in history. In the 20th century, we never had a heat wave before 19 June. We have had several in the 21st century, but none before 15 June," Giannopoulos said.
Extreme heat has been a crisis worldwide. More than 1,300 people making the pilgrimage to the Hajj in Saudi Arabia died as temperatures in the Middle Eastern country reached over 120 degrees. In India, temperatures were consistently above 110 degrees, and at least 100 heat-related deaths have been recorded, CBS News previously reported. Similar conditions were reported across Asia. Like in Greece, the high temperatures came earlier than they typically do. The temperatures were also exacerbated by the El Niño weather phenomenon.
Across the United States, heat waves have roasted the nation this summer, causing transit issues, illnesses and more. Las Vegas saw temperatures of over 115 degrees for nearly a week straight in July, and much of the Southwest has experienced dangerously high temperatures. California's famous Death Valley reached 129 degrees.
- In:
- Weather Forecast
- Greece
- Fire
- Heat Wave
veryGood! (68)
Related
- All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
- Biden attends dignified transfer of 3 soldiers killed in Jordan drone attack
- Bill to enshrine abortion in Maine Constitution narrowly clears 1st vote, but faces partisan fight
- Oklahoma rattled by shallow 5.1 magnitude earthquake
- Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
- A big idea for small farms: How to link agriculture, nutrition and public health
- USAID Administrator Samantha Power weighs in on Israel's allegations about UNRWA — The Takeout
- Biden attends dignified transfer of 3 soldiers killed in Jordan drone attack
- Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
- At least 3 people killed when small plane crashes into Florida mobile home
Ranking
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- NPR's Student Podcast Challenge is back – with a fourth-grade edition!
- Olympic skating coach under SafeSport investigation for alleged verbal abuse still coaches
- Paint the Town Red With Doja Cat’s Style Evolution
- How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
- Taylor Swift could make it to the Super Bowl from Tokyo. Finding private jet parking, that’s tricky.
- Group will appeal court ruling that Georgia voter challenges don’t violate federal law
- Q&A: What an Author’s Trip to the Antarctic Taught Her About Climate—and Collective Action
Recommendation
Average rate on 30
Wayne Kramer, co-founder of revolutionary rock band the MC5, dead at 75
Carl Weathers, linebacker-turned-actor who starred in 'Rocky' movies, dies at 76
Pregnant Sofia Richie Cradles Baby Bump During Red Carpet Appearance at Pre-Grammys Party
What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
Group will appeal court ruling that Georgia voter challenges don’t violate federal law
Shooting deaths of bartender, husband at Wisconsin sports bar shock community
Feds won’t restore protections for wolves in Rockies, western states, propose national recovery plan