More than 50,000 people have been evacuated amid blistering wildfires affecting seven areas in Turkey. Blazes have raged in Izmir, Aliağa, Gaziemir, Manisa, Menderes, Seferihisar and the Hatay region, according to the air quality monitoring group, IQ Air.

Turkish forestry minister Ibrahim Yumakli said strong winds have fanned the wildfires around Izmir. The country’s AFAD emergency management authority said over 50,000 people have been evacuated, including 42,000 in Izmir, according to figures cited by Reuters news agency.

Major heatwaves across southern Europe have pushed temperatures above 40C (104F) in countries including Turkey, Italy, France, Spain, and Greece. As a result of the blazes, the Foreign Office has updated its advice for Brits travelling to Turkey this summer.

Experts have linked the rising frequency and intensity of heatwaves to climate change, warning that such extreme weather events are becoming increasingly common across southern Europe.

A large wildfire broke out south of Athens on Thursday (June 26), forcing evacuations and road closures near the ancient Temple of Poseidon. Strong winds spread the flames, damaging homes and sending smoke billowing across the sky.

Greek authorities deployed 130 firefighters, 12 planes, and 12 helicopters to battle the blaze, while police evacuated 40 people. Five areas were under evacuation orders.

Southern regions of Spain saw temperatures above seasonal averages, prompting health alerts and safety recommendations from authorities.

The country’s national meteorological service, Aemet, said June was set to break yet another record, becoming the hottest such month since records began.

Two-thirds of Portugal were on high alert on Sunday for extreme heat and wildfires, with temperatures expected to top 42C (107F) in Lisbon.

In Italy, regions including Lazio, Tuscany, Calabria, Puglia and Umbria were planning to ban some outdoor work during the hottest hours of the day in response to the record-high temperatures.

Italian trade unions pushed the Government to roll out such measures across the country.

The Italian Health Ministry on Sunday (June 29) placed 21 out of 27 monitored cities under its highest heat alert, including top holiday destinations like Rome, Milan and Naples.

In France, temperatures are expected to peak on Tuesday and Wednesday. Wildfires broke out on Sunday in the Aude region, where temperatures reached 40C.

Four hundred hectares burned. A campsite and an abbey were evacuated, according to local authorities.

French weather service Meteo France placed a record 84 of the country’s 101 departments on an orange heatwave alert from Monday until the middle of this week.