A lethargic lull fell over Malta yesterday as the mercury hit a sizzling 41.6˚C, falling just 1.1 degrees short of the highest recorded July temperature 21 years ago.
The scorching heat led to some 40 grass fires across the island, which kept the Civil Protection Department busy extinguishing the flames fanned by the dry wind.
CPD director Peter Cordina did not rule out foul play in some instances, which he said wasted precious time for the busy firefighting team.
In Valletta, owners of small shops with no air conditioner sought the breeze on their doorstep fanning themselves with whatever was at hand, while pedestrians tried to avoid the sun and walked along the shaded part of Republic Street.
While some lazed on the beach, 35 volleyball players languished at the car park of Dar tal-Providenza, Siġġiewi, testing their mettle in a 52-hour marathon to raise money for the home that caters for people with special needs.
Despite such high temperatures, Malta was spared from the suffocating humidity as the low average levels of 13 per cent meant the heat was more bearable, Meteorological Office weather forecaster Svetlana Curmi said.
A wind, which blew at 10 to 15 knots from the northwest, also made life outdoors a bit more tolerable.
Ms Curmi said the hottest day recorded in Malta was in August 1999 when temperatures soared to 43.8˚C.
Today's temperatures are forecast to drop by six degrees to 35˚C, but people should not expect to feel any cooler because due to the heat stress index it will feel more like 39˚C.
Countries across Europe are also sweltering in a heatwave, and Cyprus has warned holidaymakers to take precautions as temperatures reach a searing 43˚C.
Visitors were being advised to drink plenty of water and not to stay in the sun for more than an hour, especially between midday and 4 p.m.
The same advice was given by authorities in southeastern Europe, where countries in the region faced average temperatures of 36˚C.
News agencies reported that in Belgrade emergency services treated 40 people in the streets as they grew faint from the heat, while in Hungary municipal workers hosed down the streets and distributed free drinking water in main squares.
Meanwhile, Spain was placed on maximum wildlife alert as eight large fires raged in the east of the country, and authorities across the Mediterranean battled wildfires that charred acres of land.