Extreme Heat Wave in Italy, 3 People Dead, 27 Cities on Red Alert

ILLUSTRATION UNSPLASH/Pedro Pereira

Italy has set 27 cities in the highest heat alert status amid a heat wave that has hit the country again, while at least three deaths have occurred allegedly related to the extreme weather.

According to the ANSA news agency, Wednesday, August 5, as many as 25 cities are still in a red alert status. The number is expected to increase to 27 cities on Thursday (6/8) in line with the forecast of record high temperatures and risks to public health.

ANSA also reported that three people were suspected of dying due to the impact of the heat wave.

As reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, the victims were a carpenter (40) because he was sick while working on the roof, a security officer (55) because he was in a medical emergency while in the car, and a woman (90) while in the park.

Temperatures in a number of Italian regions are expected to exceed 40 degrees Celsius and are predicted to slightly decrease to around 36 to 39 degrees Celsius by the weekend. The heat wave also raises concerns about drought and forest fires.

The fire was reported in the Marsica area, Abruzzo region, while firefighters were still trying to control the fire in the Karst area near Trieste which had been going on since Saturday afternoon (1/8).