Italy is facing a severe heatwave, with several cities issuing the highest-level heat warnings after temperatures reached 39 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has warned that over 200,000 people in Europe have died from heat-related causes in the past four years.
On 22 June 2026 GMT+7, the Italian Ministry of Health issued a heatwave alert, placing eight cities under a red warning level. This indicates weather conditions that could be harmful to the health of all population groups—not just the elderly, children, or patients. The cities under the highest alert include Turin, Florence, Bologna, Brescia, and Bolzano. On the previous Sunday, Milan, Perugia, and Rieti were added to the list.
Italian authorities refer to this alert as the "Red Flag," covering northern and central parts of the country. Many cities are experiencing temperatures in the high 30s Celsius, approaching 40 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, the Italian Air Force reported that several areas experienced above-normal temperatures over the past weekend, with inland regions reaching 39 degrees Celsius—approximately 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Europe regional office revealed earlier this month that over the past four years, more than 200,000 people in Europe have died from heat-related causes. Most of these deaths could have been prevented with appropriate response measures.
Meteorologists predict that this summer, Europe will continue to experience above-average temperatures, which may cause heat exhaustion and potentially fatal heatstroke if people do not avoid prolonged outdoor exposure or fail to stay adequately hydrated.
Source: AP