Italian authorities have urged everyone in affected areas to avoid direct sunlight between 11am and 6pm, and to take special care of the elderly and other vulnerable people.
The country’s counterpart at the Meteorological Institute named the heatwave Kerberos – after the three-headed dog monster that guards the gates to the underworld in Greek mythology.
Another heat wave is expected
Next week, another heat wave is expected to sweep the country, named Karun after the ferry to the underworld in the same legends.
In Rome, temperatures could reach 40°C on Monday and as high as 43°C on Tuesday, which would exceed the record high of 40.5° in August 2007.
The European Space Agency (ESA) warns that the islands of Sicily and Sardinia can be hit by temperatures of up to 48 degrees.
In this case, it would be the highest temperature ever measured in Europe, according to the authority.
Also across the coast, temperatures in Greece have climbed 40 degrees or more in recent days.
According to the Greek weather service EMY, the temperature could reach 44 degrees in parts of the country on Saturday.
A tourist standing in front of the Acropolis on Friday. The city of Athens has now chosen to close the attraction during the hottest hours of the day, from noon to 5 p.m.
The Acropolis is closed
In the capital, Athens, the popular Acropolis tourist attraction was closed on Friday during the hottest hours of the day to protect visitors.
According to the Greek Ministry of Culture, similar measures are likely to be taken on Saturday as well.
In recent days the Greek Red Cross has been present at the site of the Acropolis, which is situated on a rocky hill with little shade, distributing water and helping people trapped in the heat.
People are advised to drink at least two liters of water per day and to avoid diuretics such as coffee and alcohol.
Warmer temperatures were also observed in countries in central Europe, including Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland.
Parts of the United States, China, North Africa and Japan were also affected by the heat waves.
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