Italy putting nearly all major cities on highest heat alert - BBC News

Some 19 major Italian cities - including Rome, Milan and Naples - are already on red alert, and by Monday all but two will be.

Image source, Anadolu via Getty ImagesImage caption, Italian health officials urge residents in the affected areas to avoid exposure to heat and direct sunlight by staying indoors and drinking plenty of fluids

Italy is putting nearly all of its major cities on the highest "red" alert for high temperatures, as a new heatwave grips the country.

Health officials say 19 cities from north to south - including the capital Rome, Milan, Venice and Naples - are already at red alert, and by Monday all but two cities will be.

Temperatures hit mid-30s C in many places on Saturday, and authorities are warning of risks to even healthy and active people - not just groups including the elderly, very young children and people with chronic illnesses.

The warnings come as several European nations battle devastating wildfires after a succession of heatwaves that have created favourable conditions for blazes.