A scorching heatwave is currently engulfing parts of southern Europe and north-west Africa, with meteorologists predicting potentially record-breaking temperatures in the coming days. Spain, France, Greece, Croatia, and Turkey are expected to experience temperatures surpassing 40°C (104°F), while Italy faces the possibility of reaching a sweltering 48.8°C (119.8°F). As a result, a red alert warning has been issued for ten cities in Italy, including Rome, Bologna, and Florence.
Tragically, the heatwave has already claimed a life. On Tuesday, a man in his forties collapsed while painting zebra crossing lines in Lodi, a town near Milan, Italy. He was rushed to the hospital but, regrettably, succumbed to the heat. Nicola Fratoianni, an Italian politician, took to Twitter to express concern about the “unbearable heatwave” and emphasized the importance of taking necessary precautions during the hottest hours to prevent further tragedies.
The scorching temperatures have prompted health advisories, urging individuals to consume at least two litres of water per day and to avoid dehydrating beverages such as coffee and alcohol. Visitors and locals alike are feeling the effects of the heat, with Australian tourists in Rome expressing surprise and having to adjust their plans accordingly.
The Cerberus heatwave, named after the mythical three-headed dog from Dante’s Inferno, is causing extreme conditions across the region. Spain has already been enduring scorching temperatures of up to 45°C (113°F), with overnight temperatures remaining above 25°C (77°F). Majorca experienced 37°C (98°F) at 04:00, emphasizing the relentless heatwave’s impact.
Emergency services in affected areas have been overwhelmed by heat-related cases. The Andalusian regional government in Spain has launched a telephone assistance service for those affected, receiving over 54,000 calls since early June. On Majorca, the emergency health hotline has been attending to more than one case of heatstroke every day since May.
