Eight people died last night, as storms crashed through central and northeastern Poland, causing thousands of zloty in damages.

A car travelling from Lublin in the south east carrying a driver and four passengers swerved to miss a fallen tree only to end up crashing head on with a lorry coming the other way, killing all on board.

The accident happened at around 11 o’clock Wednesday night after a storm hit the hilly region between Radom and Kielce on the number 7 national road. Three other road deaths were also reported in the central Mazovian province alone.

Two barns were struck by lightning over night in the Mazurian Lake District, northeastern Poland, and burned to the ground. Animals and dairy equipment inside the two barns.

“The owner of the building has initially estimated his losses at about 46,000 zloty [11,000 euro],” says a spokesperson from the Olsztyn emergency services department.

A second barn burned to the ground in the village of Trupel, also in Masuria – most of the animals were safely vacated. Losses are estimated at 30,000 zloty (7,000 euro).

Heatwave

Poland is experiencing extreme weather, generally, as the country sees some of the hottest days of the year, with temperatures expected to rise to 34 degrees Celsius in the shade.

Maciej Cymerys, a doctor from Poznań, west Poland, talking to Polish Radio warned, however, that the sun isn't for everyone. "Such heat can be dangerous for the elderly or poorly, and of course for children. In those countries where the sun really shines, like Australia, people walk around or even drive with bottles of water. This is worth remembering," says the good doctor.

The highest recorded temperature in Poland stands at 40.2 degrees Celsius, which was noted in Prószków near the southern town of Opole on the 29 July 1921. (jb/mmj/pg)