Giada Zampano
18 July 2023•Update: 19 July 2023
ROME
The extraordinary heat wave that hit Italy and vast areas across Europe was approaching its peak on Tuesday, as temperatures were set to hit new highs in many large Italian cities.
Rome – dubbed “the Infernal Capital” by foreign media – reacted to the emergency by setting up dozens of special “help points” around the city, with the aim of protecting the elderly, infirm, and tourists from soaring temperatures, expected to climb to a new high of 42C (107.6F).
The islands of Sicily and Sardinia were also bracing to reach the hottest-ever temperature in Europe, with a peak of 48C (118.4F) predicted by the European Space Agency in some southern areas.
The previous European record was registered in Sicily two years ago at 48.8C (119.8F) , according to data from the UN weather agency.
On Tuesday, 20 out of 27 major Italian cities were on red alert, meaning the heat was so intense that it posed a threat to the whole population, not just vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and children.
Italy’s Health Ministry sent a letter with special recommendations to the regional administrations, including a series of rules to help manage the impact of the heatwave.
They included setting up a “heat code” at hospital emergency rooms, with special procedures aimed at giving priority to people suffering from heat-related issues.
The ministry also encouraged the reactivation of special units, named USCARs, created during the pandemic to provide care for people at home, preventing ERs from being overwhelmed by patients seeking relief from problems that could be addressed outside of the hospital.
Scientists say that climate changes caused by greenhouse gas emissions are making extreme weather events – such as heatwaves, droughts, storms and floods – much more frequent and intense.
According to recent data published by the scientific journal Nature, more than 60,000 people died in Europe in heatwaves last summer, with a similar toll feared for this year.
