Heat Wave scorches Rome, hits 45°C in Spain
Tourists visiting Rome's Colosseum faced extreme heat as a severe heatwave swept across Europe. Temperatures in Italy are expected to exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) this week, prompting the Health Ministry to issue red alerts for 21 cities, including Rome and Milan. On Monday, temperatures reached 38°C in Rome, 41°C in Florence, and 37°C in Perugia.
The intense heat has led to numerous heat-related illnesses among visitors, with reports indicating that 70 to 80 tourists per day have fallen ill. Emergency services have been deployed to popular tourist sites, including the Colosseum, where ambulances and medics are on standby to provide immediate assistance. In light of the situation, there are calls to close the Colosseum during the hottest parts of the day to protect visitors.
Additionally, regions such as Lazio, Umbria, Tuscany, Calabria, and Puglia are considering bans on outdoor work during peak heat hours to safeguard workers. This heatwave is part of a broader trend affecting Southern Europe, with countries like Spain, Portugal, and France also experiencing record-breaking temperatures. Experts attribute the increasing frequency and intensity of such heatwaves to climate change.
Authorities are advising tourists to take precautions, such as staying hydrated, seeking shade, and avoiding outdoor activities during peak heat hours.
Meanwhile locals and tourists attempted to stay cool during a heatwave in Seville as Spain was on course for its hottest June on record, according to the national meteorological service AEMET.
After midday, a street thermometer in the Andalusian capital showed 45 degrees Celsius.
Many people chose to cover themselves from the sun with umbrellas and cooled off with fans, cold drinks and water from a street fountain.
Most of Spain remains under alert for heat, with AEMET forecasting the peak of the heatwave.
