Photo roundup: Ukraine's anniversary, Tokyo's record heat, and European wildfires
A selection of photographs from Monday includes a Ukrainian war veteran at a sporting event, Tokyo residents using cooling mist during a heatwave, and scorched moorland in Derbyshire after a major wildfire. Also featured are scenes from Spain's Sierra de Berrocal fire and a memorial for two police officers in Middlesbrough.
Tokyo's heatwave pushed temperatures to 39C, with the national meteorological agency issuing heatstroke alerts across dozens of prefectures as residents sought relief at cooling mist stations. The heat follows a broader pattern of extreme conditions across Europe, where drought has left 71% of England in dry conditions and high-risk moorland in the Peak District urgently needing rain.
The Derbyshire fire at Tintwistle Moor began on 24 June, was declared a major incident on 13 July, and burned roughly 606 hectares over more than six weeks before being controlled. In Spain, the Sierra de Berrocal fire consumed 33,000 hectares in 15 days, devastating the village of Berrocal. Meanwhile, Cheshire's Heath Park Lake has nearly dried up amid the prolonged drought and maintenance shortfalls.
Prolonged heatwaves and wildfires could strain public health systems, particularly affecting elderly residents and those with respiratory conditions who face heightened risks from heatstroke alerts and smoke exposure. Drought conditions may also pressure water supplies for households and agriculture, while stretched emergency services contend with extended firefighting operations. Communities in fire-affected regions could face long-term economic recovery challenges, though improved preparedness and early warning systems may help mitigate future impacts.