As a result of the extreme heat that hit Europe in recent days, have already killed more than 1700 people in Spain and Portugal. This was stated on Friday by the WHO regional director for Europe Hans Kluge, writes UNN.

"In recent decades, hundreds of thousands of people have died as a result of intense heat waves, which were often accompanied by forest fires. This year we have already witnessed more than 1,700 unnecessary deaths during the current heat wave in Spain and Portugal alone," Kluge said in a statement.

Among other effects of the heat wave in Europe, the WHO spokesman cited wildfires that engulfed northern Europe and destroyed more than 40 homes in London, as well as the overall impact of high temperatures on the well-being of people with chronic illnesses.

"The events of this week once again point to the desperate need for pan-European action to effectively combat climate change, a comprehensive crisis of our time that threatens both human health and the very existence of humanity," said Hans Kluge.

He called on the governments of the world to "demonstrate political will and true leadership in the implementation of the global Paris Agreement on climate change.

Recall that much of Western Europe suffers from a debilitating heat wave, with many countries breaking temperature records and widespread fires raging.