The Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMU) reported that temperatures recorded from three monitoring stations near the Hungarian border all exceeded the 2007 record of 40,3 degrees Celsius.

Specifically, temperatures in Turna nad Bodvou in the Kosice region, southeastern Slovakia, reached 41 degrees Celsius. Temperatures also hit 40,5 degrees Celsius in Muzla and 40,6 degrees Celsius in Strkovec.

SHMU noted that these figures are preliminary and will be verified in the coming days. According to climatologist Pavol Fasko, heatwaves like the current one are likely to occur more frequently.

Rescue forces recorded 308 heat-related fainting cases in Slovakia over the past three days, with 171 individuals hospitalized.

People playing in a fountain in the capital Bratislava, Slovakia. Photo: TASR

Slovakia and neighboring Hungary are among the European countries currently experiencing a severe heatwave. Temperatures in Aszod in central Hungary reached 41,8 degrees Celsius, just below the 2007 temperature record of 41,9 degrees Celsius.

Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar stated the government encourages civil servants to work remotely if possible. He also requested public service providers adjust outdoor work schedules, urged restaurants to provide free drinking water, and suggested keeping air-conditioned public places open.

Ukraine's National Hydrometeorological Center announced the country would also face "intense heat." Temperatures are forecast to reach 35-38 degrees Celsius, though this is still far from the record 42 degrees Celsius recorded in August 2010.

A group of scientists from the World Weather Forecast Organization stated this is the most severe heatwave ever recorded in Europe and would be "almost impossible" to occur so early in summer without climate change.

Thanh Tam (According to AFP, Slovak Spectator, Al Jazeera)