Naples on red alert as Italy faces record heatwave

Naples is among nearly all of Italy's major cities placed under the highest heat alert from Monday, as a fresh heatwave grips the country, authorities said on Saturday, according to The Local Italy and the BBC. Nineteen cities, including Rome, Milan and Naples, are already on red alert, and by Monday all but two will be, the BBC reported.

The red alert signals a serious health risk for the general population, not just the elderly or vulnerable, with authorities urging residents to avoid outdoor activity during the hottest hours of the day. The heatwave is expected to push temperatures above seasonal norms across the peninsula, adding strain on a country already dealing with wildfire risks elsewhere in Europe.

For Campania, the alert has immediate implications for Naples, a city where many homes lack air conditioning and where the summer heat is compounded by dense urban sprawl and heavy traffic. The region's tourism sector, which draws millions of visitors to Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast and the city's historic centre, is also bracing for the impact of extreme temperatures.