The Italian health ministry has announced that 25 of the country's 27 major cities will be under red heat alerts by Monday.
Key facts
- •Italy's health ministry reports that 25 of 27 major cities will be on red alert by Monday.
- •Reggio Calabria and Messina are the only major cities expected to remain at the amber alert level.
- •The heat is caused by a subtropical anticyclone moving from North Africa over the Mediterranean.
- •Residents are urged to stay indoors and avoid sun exposure between 11:00 and 18:00.
- •Approximately 200,000 residents in France's Gironde region have returned home following wildfire containment.
The Italian health ministry issued a bulletin on Saturday indicating that nearly all of the country's major cities will be under red heat alerts by Monday. Out of 27 major cities, 25 are expected to reach the highest alert level, while only Reggio Calabria and Messina will remain at the second-highest amber level.
By the numbers
Health Precautions and Causes
The ministry has advised residents in affected areas to avoid direct sunlight and heat exposure between 11:00 and 18:00. Officials recommend staying indoors and maintaining hydration. The extreme temperatures are attributed to a strengthening subtropical anticyclone originating from North Africa.
Wildfires Across Southern Europe
Beyond Italy, firefighters in Greece, Spain, Portugal, and France continue to manage wildfires covering thousands of hectares. In France, 2,500 people were evacuated in the Var region on Friday after a fire reignited. Conversely, in the Gironde region, a large fire has been brought under control, allowing approximately 200,000 residents to return home.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by BBC Science & Environment.
