Death-Dealing Heatwaves Sweeping Across Europe: A Survival Guide Against Heatwaves in Italy

While Western Europe is reeling from an unusually severe heatwave seen in the early summer season, maximum-level health alarms have been issued in many countries from Italy to the UK. On Thursday, while Switzerland and the UK experienced their hottest June day on record, France had its hottest day ever with temperatures reaching record levels of 111 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 44 degrees Celsius) in some regions. These extreme temperatures had fatal consequences, especially in France and Spain; in France, at least 48 people drowned while entering the water to cool down, and three small children were reported to have died after being trapped in hot cars. In Spain, according to Ministry of Health data, 327 people died due to these extreme weather conditions in the short period between Sunday and Thursday. Experts emphasize that this deadly picture reveals the extent of the devastation caused by the climate crisis across Europe.

Italy, which hosts Europe's highest temperature record (119.8 Fahrenheit in Sicily in 2021), is also among the countries most affected by this disaster. The Italian Ministry of Health has placed 18 major cities in the country under the 'Red Alert' (Bollino Rosso) category, which signifies an emergency danger even for healthy adults. This list included the country's most populous and tourist-heavy cities such as Roma, Milano, Floransa, Venedik, Torino, Bologna, Cenova, and Bari. The fact that one of the five people who have died due to extreme heat so far was a 61-year-old man who fell ill while working in his vineyard in the Piacenza region highlights the severity of the situation. Furthermore, although meteorologists signal that temperatures will drop over the weekend in some parts of Europe, they warn that this anomaly in Italy will not ease until the beginning of July.

The devastating impact of this deadly heatwave appears even more terrifying in Italian statistics. The country holds the sad record of recording the highest heat-related death rate in Europe for three consecutive summer seasons. According to data, approximately 18,800 people in 2022, 13,800 in 2023, and over 19,000 in 2024 lost their lives due to extreme heat. These horrific death rates pose a significant challenge for Italy, a premier tourism destination. Because tourism experts evaluating this summer season expect a full 172 million people to visit the country in July and August, which means a record number. Moreover, it should be considered that this massive tourist crowd will have to cope with these heatwaves in a country where the use of air conditioning in homes and hotels is not widespread.

The Italian Ministry of Health has provided a series of important recommendations titled 'Protect Yourself from the Heat' for both locals and tourists during this difficult period. The most essential suggestion in this guide is to avoid going outdoors during the midday hours when the temperature peaks, specifically between 11 AM and 4 PM. Additionally, it is emphasized that the consumption of alcohol and caffeine should be limited, clothing made from natural fibers such as linen should be preferred, and light meals should be eaten. To prevent heatstroke, it is recommended to consume at least one and a half liters of water during the day and always keep a water bottle with you. It is also among the reminded details that you can safely drink water from the fountains you encounter while walking the historic streets of Italy, which have 'Acqua Potabile' written on them.

For those seeking water and coolness, it is noted that there are approximately 2,500 drinkable water fountains in Roma called 'nasoni' (large noses), spread throughout the city. Technology is also at work in this regard; the mobile application called 'Acquea', developed by the Roman water company Acea, shows more than 150,000 drinkable water points on a map across Italy. This application even shares the sodium and calcium levels of the water flowing from the fountains with the user and helps with hydration tracking. Officials, pointing out the need to change dietary habits during hot weather, recommend choosing classic cold Italian flavors such as prosciutto with melon or caprese salad instead of hot meals for lunch. In fact, according to an interesting recommendation given by the Ministry of Health in 2023, it is stated that completely substituting lunch with ice cream or a rice pudding could be a reasonable and refreshing alternative on hot days.