Overview

• At least five heat-related deaths were recorded in Italy’s Apulia region within 24 hours as temperatures peaked at 48 °C. Greece’s National Weather Service warns of up to 46 °C in central regions, enforcing legal outdoor work bans between noon and 4 p.m. and closing landmarks such as the Acropolis.
• Meteo.it forecasts Sicilian highs could reach 48 °C, threatening to eclipse the 48.8 °C national record and worsening severe drought across southern Italy.
• Turkish authorities report three active wildfires in Sakarya, prompting village evacuations and heightening forest-blaze dangers in prolonged dry conditions.
• The Saharan-sourced heat wave is expected to persist through the weekend, prolonging strain on public health systems and emergency responders in Greece, Italy and Turkey.