Italian health authorities release red alert for heatwave.

Italy's health ministry has issued a heat warning for six Italian cities, including Rome, on Thursday 27 June, and for 16 cities on Friday 28 June.

The red alert comes as Italy is braced for temperatures to rise up to 43 degrees Celsius, breaking the country's record heatwave in 2003, reports Italian news agency ANSA.

The alert for 27 June affects Bolzano, Brescia, Florence, Perugia, Rieti and Rome.

These six cities will be joined on 28 June by Bari, Bologna, Frosinone, Latina, Milan, Naples, Turin, Venice, Verona and Viterbo.

The health ministry has warned people to avoid exposure to the sun and to refrain from outdoor activity between 11.00 and 18.00. 

Health authorities also advise people to drink liquids, eat lightly, take care to preserve medication properly, and use air conditioning correctly, according to ANSA.

The heatwave is the result of a wave of extremely hot air from Africa moving northward across Europe.

Tourists in Rome should be aware that Rome's fountains are off-limits, no matter how hot it gets, with fines of €450 for those caught entering the waters.

Photo La Stampa