Sicily records the highest temperature ever in Europe – 48.8°C

The highest temperature in European history has been recorded in Italy during a heat wave that has swept the country, with initial reports suggesting a temperature of 48.8 degrees Celsius.

If this is accepted by the World Meteorological Organization, it will break the previous European record of 48 degrees Celsius recorded in Athens in 1977. The temperature was measured by the monitoring station in Sicily and then confirmed by the relevant authorities.

This result comes after a severe heat wave that stretches across the Mediterranean, in Tunisia and Algeria. Fires have raged across much of the region for more than a week. The Italian government has declared a state of emergency. Turkey and Greece have also been hit by devastating wildfires, writes The Guardian.

Meteorologist Trevor Mitchell has said that such temperature data must go through verification processes before being declared official.

Record temperatures have hit Canada, the western US, Finland, Estonia, Turkey and Moscow. Severe floods have swept through Germany and parts of China.