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[HEALTH] · Italy, France, Spain, United Kingdom · 100 sources

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Italy and Europe grapple with record heat wave as red alerts hit 17 cities

An unprecedented heat wave is sweeping Italy and much of Europe, pushing temperatures above 40 °C in parts of the peninsula and setting record highs in France. The Italian Ministry of Health has issued level‑3 "red" alerts for 17 cities – including Rome, Milan, Florence and Bari – with a further city added the following day, bringing the total to 18. The alerts warn of emergency conditions that can affect even healthy adults, prompting recommendations to stay hydrated, avoid the hottest hours and seek shade.

Health authorities note a rise in emergency room visits, heat‑related deaths in Italy and France, and a tragic three‑year‑old death in a car in France. The World Health Organization has declared the situation a health emergency for the region. Greenpeace and the CGIL warn that up to 1.5 million workers, especially construction, logistics and green‑space crews, are at risk of heat‑induced illness or injury.

The extreme temperatures are also driving market shifts: demand for air‑conditioning has surged, with 41 % of homes for sale and 52 % of rentals now listed with cooling systems, boosting property prices by up to 58 % compared to non‑air‑conditioned units. Consumers face higher electricity bills, and experts advise energy‑saving measures. Meanwhile, increased fruit consumption is reported in hot regions such as Puglia, and eye‑care specialists urge protection against UV‑induced eye damage.

Sources

L’estate che fa paura [www.lanotteonline.it]
3 months ago
Caldo, nessuna tregua - Il Risveglio [www.ilrisveglio-online.it]
3 months ago
3 months ago