Record heatwave in Italy: Umbrellas, handheld fans, and water bottles offer little relief to tourists

Umbrellas, handheld fans and bottles of water offered little relief to tourists visiting Rome's Colosseum on Monday (August 3) as a heatwave pushed temperatures close to 40 degrees Celsius (104°F) across much of Italy.

The scorching weather prompted authorities to issue red alerts in 25 cities from northern to southern Italy, warning of health risks.

The heatwave is expected to persist until at least Friday (August 7), according to weather forecasts Ilmeteo.it, prolonging discomfort for residents and visitors.

"We were really not expecting that heat ... we are just trying to manage," said Patrycja Dudek, a tourist from Slovakia, as she toured the ancient monument under the blazing sun.

Tourists sought shade where they could around Rome's archaeological sites, stopping frequently to refill water bottles and cool off at public fountains.

Italy is among several European countries grappling with extreme summer temperatures. Europe is the fastest-warming continent, meaning summer heatwaves and their impact are expected to become more common.

Editing: Antonio Denti ; Production and writing: Matteo Negri, Oriana Boselli/Reuters