Italy faces extreme heat wave with red alerts in seven cities

A third African‑driven heat wave is sweeping Italy in mid‑July 2026, bringing temperatures that may reach 45 °C in Sardinia and 40 °C‑plus across much of the peninsula. The Ministry of Health’s heat‑wave bulletin raised the alert to the maximum level (bollino rosso) for seven cities on 15 July – Bologna, Frosinone, Roma, Torino, plus the already‑red cities Florence and Perugia, with Brescia added earlier. Eleven additional cities are under orange alerts, signalling risk for the elderly, children and people with chronic illnesses. Authorities advise staying hydrated, avoiding the midday sun and checking on vulnerable neighbours.

The extreme conditions have already caused serious incidents. In Marsala, an elderly man died while burning field waste when strong winds and high temperatures turned the fire into a fatal blaze. In the province of Trapani, construction firms have ignored a regional order banning work during the hottest hours, prompting union complaints and calls for stricter inspections. Workers in Florence’s delivery sector announced a strike over unsafe heat conditions, and the municipality of Monza reiterated health‑safety recommendations. The heat also aggravates water scarcity in Piemonte and raises fire danger across Europe, with large wildfires reported in France, the United Kingdom and Spain.

Overall, the heat wave is prompting coordinated health monitoring, emergency water measures, and enforcement actions to protect public safety as temperatures remain well above seasonal norms.