Italy placed all its major cities under the highest heat alert Thursday as an intense heat wave gripped much of Europe, while Hungary switched off lights at several landmark buildings to conserve energy.
Europe, the world's fastest-warming continent, has been ravaged by record-breaking heat and destructive wildfires this summer, with France and Spain particularly hard hit in recent weeks.
The focus of the heat wave has since moved further east, with temperatures in Austria hitting successive national records this week, peaking at 41.2 degrees Celsius (106.2 degrees Fahrenheit) Wednesday.
Italy is accustomed to hot summers, but the red alert issued by the Health Ministry stretches from Palermo on the southern island of Sicily to Bolzano in the mountainous north.
Such a warning indicates a potential health emergency with prolonged high temperatures posing a serious health risk to the entire population.
