In Romania, hospitals were overcrowded with patients who suffered heart attacks, heat-related shock or fainting spells. As temperatures climbed to 107 degrees, the Romanian government told employees to stay home because many offices lack air conditioning. Two people died and 26 others were injured, some seriously. In neighboring Bulgaria, temperatures hit their highest mark in 112 years, reaching a record 104 degrees in the capital of Sofia. The heat has so far killed four elderly people suffering from heart conditions and high blood pressure, Bulgarian health officials reported, and at least 50 people were hospitalized.
Meteorologists blame the heat on hot air masses moving north from Africa.
The thermal invasion reached up to the northern Balkans. Kanderes said a cooler air mass from central Europe may not break through until Tuesday. A girl refreshes herself with water from an artesian well in Bucharest In Turkey, temperatures soared to 104 degrees in places, but meteorologists predicted the real heat wave would hit the country Thursday. The elderly and the sick were advised to stay indoors. In Macedonia, the thermometer in the capital Skopje showed 111 degrees, while hot winds blowing across the plains outside the city forced residents indoors.