02:50Residents and tourists of Syracuse tried to find ways to cool off as a severe heatwave struck Italy with temperatures set to hit 40 degrees Celsius on Monday.
Footage shows locals and tourists protecting themselves from the sun with fans, hats and umbrellas as well as they are seen holding bottles of water and eating ice cream.
"It's suffocating," said one of the tourists. "And those who come from England are going to have a hard time. They bring some fans and a lot of water."
"It's horrible, unbearable. The guide told us that the best months are April and the end of September or October. However, last year on December 25th it was 25 degrees Celsius, so very hot," said another tourist.
Another visitor said that there is a higher risk of getting 'sunburn' and 'heat stroke' amid the heatwave. "You just don't have enough fluid in you. So you must drink lots of water," he added.
On Saturday, June 29, the Italian Ministry of Health reported that 17 cities, including Rome, Florence and Palermo, are expected to be affected by the high temperatures and issued heat alerts. The Ministry also recommended the residents and tourists to stay indoors between 11:00 and 18:00 local time to avoid heat-related illness.
Italian weather monitoring agencies reported that the severe climate conditions came from Africa.
According to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), Europe has been warming at twice the global average since 1991, with temperatures 2.3 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels on average over a five-year period. The temperature in Italy has reportedly increased by 1.1 degrees in the last 30 years.
Five of Europe's most severe heatwaves have occurred in the past three years alone, a phenomenon widely attributed to climate change exacerbated by carbon emissions.
Hot stuff! Locals and tourists battle 'suffocating' temperatures as mercury hits 40 Celsius in Syracuse
Residents and tourists of Syracuse tried to find ways to cool off as a severe heatwave struck Italy with temperatures set to hit 40 degrees Celsius on Monday.
Footage shows locals and tourists protecting themselves from the sun with fans, hats and umbrellas as well as they are seen holding bottles of water and eating ice cream.
"It's suffocating," said one of the tourists. "And those who come from England are going to have a hard time. They bring some fans and a lot of water."
"It's horrible, unbearable. The guide told us that the best months are April and the end of September or October. However, last year on December 25th it was 25 degrees Celsius, so very hot," said another tourist.
Another visitor said that there is a higher risk of getting 'sunburn' and 'heat stroke' amid the heatwave. "You just don't have enough fluid in you. So you must drink lots of water," he added.
On Saturday, June 29, the Italian Ministry of Health reported that 17 cities, including Rome, Florence and Palermo, are expected to be affected by the high temperatures and issued heat alerts. The Ministry also recommended the residents and tourists to stay indoors between 11:00 and 18:00 local time to avoid heat-related illness.
Italian weather monitoring agencies reported that the severe climate conditions came from Africa.
According to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), Europe has been warming at twice the global average since 1991, with temperatures 2.3 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels on average over a five-year period. The temperature in Italy has reportedly increased by 1.1 degrees in the last 30 years.
Five of Europe's most severe heatwaves have occurred in the past three years alone, a phenomenon widely attributed to climate change exacerbated by carbon emissions.
Residents and tourists of Syracuse tried to find ways to cool off as a severe heatwave struck Italy with temperatures set to hit 40 degrees Celsius on Monday.
Footage shows locals and tourists protecting themselves from the sun with fans, hats and umbrellas as well as they are seen holding bottles of water and eating ice cream.
"It's suffocating," said one of the tourists. "And those who come from England are going to have a hard time. They bring some fans and a lot of water."
"It's horrible, unbearable. The guide told us that the best months are April and the end of September or October. However, last year on December 25th it was 25 degrees Celsius, so very hot," said another tourist.
Another visitor said that there is a higher risk of getting 'sunburn' and 'heat stroke' amid the heatwave. "You just don't have enough fluid in you. So you must drink lots of water," he added.
On Saturday, June 29, the Italian Ministry of Health reported that 17 cities, including Rome, Florence and Palermo, are expected to be affected by the high temperatures and issued heat alerts. The Ministry also recommended the residents and tourists to stay indoors between 11:00 and 18:00 local time to avoid heat-related illness.
Italian weather monitoring agencies reported that the severe climate conditions came from Africa.
According to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), Europe has been warming at twice the global average since 1991, with temperatures 2.3 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels on average over a five-year period. The temperature in Italy has reportedly increased by 1.1 degrees in the last 30 years.
Five of Europe's most severe heatwaves have occurred in the past three years alone, a phenomenon widely attributed to climate change exacerbated by carbon emissions.