By Sama Marwan,
A severe heatwave continues to grip much of Europe, with record temperatures reaching 46°C in some areas, prompting many countries to take measures to protect their populations. Italy has imposed restrictions on outdoor work during the hottest hours of the day.
According to the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero, Italy has banned outdoor work between 12:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to prevent tragedies like the recent death of a construction worker in Bologna. The heatwave, which has broken records across several countries, has claimed at least three lives in Italy.
In Palermo, Sicily, a 53-year-old woman died after fainting from the intense heat. Additionally, a 70-year-old man drowned at a resort near Turin after high temperatures triggered storms and heavy rains that caused sudden flooding.
Italian authorities have reported an increase in hospital admissions due to the effects of the heat, particularly among the elderly, who are more vulnerable to dehydration.
Emergency room visits are estimated to have risen by 15% to 20% in several regions of the country. Unions have called for enhanced workplace safety measures, urging the implementation of protections for outdoor workers during this period of extreme heat.
In response to growing concerns about heat-related deaths and illnesses, Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna, two major industrial regions in Italy, have decided to suspend outdoor work during peak hours. This measure adds to an existing ban already in place in 11 Italian regions, stretching from Liguria in the northwest to Calabria and Sicily in the south.
The extreme heat has not only affected the workforce but has also impacted the tourism sector. In Paris, the Eiffel Tower was closed when temperatures reached 38°C, and in Brussels, the famous Atomium museum closed early due to the heat.
