A severe heatwave has gripped large swathes of Europe, causing widespread disruptions and claiming at least three lives, including a young boy who died from heatstroke while in a car.
Italy has banned outdoor work during the hottest parts of the day in over half of its regions, citing safety concerns. The move comes after the death of a construction worker who collapsed on a building site near Bologna. Two workers fell ill on another site, with one in a coma.
France has also taken action, suspending train travel between France and Italy due to violent storms. Schools across the country were closed, with over 1,900 schools shut down on Tuesday alone.
Portugal’s highest June temperature ever recorded was reached in Mora, a town in the Évora district, with temperatures hitting 46.6C. Spain’s highest June temperature of 46C was also recorded, shattering previous records.
The heatwave has forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of people from their homes in Turkey due to wildfires. Cogne, a town in Italy’s Aosta Valley, has been cut off by a landslide.
Industry groups have warned that schools, elderly care homes and hospitals are ill-prepared for the heatwave. They say urgent action must be taken to address this issue as life-threatening weather events become more frequent.
Temperatures across Europe are expected to remain high, with only coastal areas and Alpine peaks spared from the scorching temperatures.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/01/italy-limits-outdoor-work-as-heatwave-breaks-records-across-europe