ROME, Italy: An Italy heatwave placed all 27 monitored cities under red alerts Thursday, August 6, threatening public health nationwide.
The move marked 2026’s first simultaneous red warning across the Health Ministry’s entire surveillance network, AP reported.
The ministry updates weekday forecasts from 11am CEST covering the next 24, 48 and 72 hours.
Level 3 signals heatwave conditions posing high health risks for at least three consecutive days. Unlike lower warnings, red status signals health risks for the entire population, not only vulnerable groups.
The ministry therefore advised people to avoid midday sun, remain indoors when possible and drink more water. Meanwhile, Rome extended evening access at major attractions to shift visits into cooler hours.
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The Pantheon will open from 7pm until 11pm daily except Thursdays throughout August. Also, the Colosseum will remain open until 11:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays, according to Italy’s Culture Ministry.
Workers installed misting fans at its entrances and added medical stations, AP reported. Rome also opened Tiberis, a free municipal facility with pools, fountains and shade beside the Tiber River.
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Resident Claudio Rocchi called the facility an important cooling option for children during hot days. Across Europe, temperatures topped 40C and strained energy and transport systems.
Slovakia recorded 42.2C at Dolné Plachtince Thursday, setting a national record, its meteorological institute said. Austria’s GeoSphere agency recorded 41.2C at Bad Deutsch-Altenburg on Wednesday, also a national high.
Consequently, low Danube levels forced Slovakia’s Gabčíkovo hydropower plant to shut seven of eight turbines, TASR reported.
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French authorities said the Var wildfire stopped spreading after burning over 60 square kilometres, although reignition remained possible.
