A devastating storm has swept through the Balkans, claiming the lives of a 12-year-old boy and a woman in Serbia, as reported by local media on Saturday.

The storm initially struck Slovenia before moving on to Croatia, Serbia, and Bosnia, bringing with it strong winds and torrential rain.

The impact has been severe, with power supply disruptions and extensive damages, including uprooted trees that caused damage to vehicles and roofs of houses, according to the Associated Press.

Tragically, on Wednesday, another storm killed six people in the region, with four fatalities in Croatia, one in Slovenia, and one in Bosnia.

Meteorologists have attributed the intensity of these storms to their occurrence after a series of extremely hot days, and experts suggest that the extreme weather conditions may be linked to climate change.

In Serbia’s northern city of Novi Sad, a 12-year-old boy was found dead on the streets during the storm. The cause of his death remains uncertain, with speculation that he may have been struck by lightning or killed by electric current.

The city of Novi Sad bore the brunt of the storm, and an exhibition center’s roof was severely damaged. Emergency services have been stretched, as around 30 people sought medical assistance, and numerous roads were blocked on July 22.

In the village of Kovačica in northeastern Serbia, a woman lost her life due to smoke inhalation after an explosion caused by a lightning strike on a nearby tree near her home.

Croatia also experienced significant damage as the storm impacted various parts of the country. Emergency responders are actively working to assess the extent of the damages caused by the storm that struck on Wednesday.

Tourist resorts in the northern Istria peninsula in Croatia faced disruptions, with several people injured during the storm. The region, a popular destination for millions of tourists each summer, has been affected by the extreme weather.

Slovenia has also reported substantial damage to its alpine forests, warning about potential floods in the area.

These storms come amidst a continuous wave of extreme heat across Europe, leading to wildfires and health warnings.