Publication Date July 3, 2017 | Channel NewsAsia via AFP

Turkey, Greece swelter under soaring temperatures

Turkey
In Istanbul, many people took a dip in the Bosphorus to cool down. Photo: Bulent Kilic, AFP
In Istanbul, many people took a dip in the Bosphorus to cool down. Photo: Bulent Kilic, AFP

Turkey was on Sunday (Jun 2) sweltering in a weekend heatwave that caused record temperatures in much of the country and triggered forest fires in the Aegean region.

The southern resort city of Antalya, a magnet for foreign tourists, saw its highest temperature ever since records began, with the mercury hitting 45.4 degrees Celsius, the state-run Anadolu news agency said.

In Istanbul, temperatures rose as high as 39.2 C, just off the highest-ever temperature in recorded history, the Hurriyet daily said.

Across the city, streets were empty as people sought shelter from the heat, with many taking a dip in the Bosphorus to cool down.

Record temperatures were also recorded on the Aegean coast.

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Neighbouring Greece was also hit by the heatwave, with several regions recording temperatures of 43 C, including Athens where the environment ministry said ozone levels were very high.