A heatwave is sweeping across parts of southern Europe and north-west Africa, with potential record-breaking temperatures in the coming days.
Temperatures are expected to surpass 40C (104F) in parts of Spain, France, Greece, Croatia and Turkey.
In Italy, temperatures could reach as high as 48.8C (119.8F). A red alert warning has been issued for 10 cities, including Rome, Bologna and Florence.
On Tuesday, a man in his forties died after collapsing in northern Italy.
Italian media reported that the 44-year-old worker was painting zebra crossing lines in the town of Lodi, near Milan, before he collapsed from the heat. He was taken to hospital where he later died.
“We are facing an unbearable heatwave,” Italian politician Nicola Fratoianni tweeted.
“Maybe it’s the case that in the hottest hours, all the useful precautions are taken to avoid tragedies like the one that happened today in Lodi.”
Map showing the high temperatures across southern Europe: Seville, Spain 41 degrees; Sardinia 40 degrees; Foggia, Italy 42 degrees, Sofia, Bulgaria 40 degrees; Larissa, Greece 41 degrees.
People have been advised to drink at least two litres of water a day and to avoid coffee and alcohol, which are dehydrating.
Two Australian tourists on the streets of Rome told the BBC they were “really surprised” by the heat.
“It does spoil our plans as tourists a bit,” Melbourne friends Maria and Gloria said. “We are trying to not go out in the middle of the day, early morning or late afternoon.”
Italian tourists Andrea Romano and Michele La Penna told the BBC their hometown of Potenza, in the Apennine mountains, has “more humane temperatures” than Rome.
Source: bbc.com
