// BBC WORLD NEWS — MONDO
Italy putting nearly all major cities on highest heat alert
Italian health officials urge residents in the affected areas to avoid exposure to heat direct sunlight by staying indoors and drinking plenty of fluids
Italy is putting nearly all of its major cities on the highest "red" alert for high temperatures, as a new heatwave grips the country.
Health officials say 19 cities from north to south - including the capital Rome, Milan, Venice and Naples - are already at red alert, and by Monday all but two cities will be.
Temperatures hit mid-30s C in many places on Saturday, and authorities are warning warning of risks to even healthy and active people - not just groups including the elderly, very young children and people with chronic illnesses.
The warnings come as several European nations battle devastating wildfires after a succession of heatwaves that have created favourable conditions for blazes.
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In its latest heatwave bulletin published on Saturday, the Italian health ministry says that by Monday, some 25 of the country's 27 major cities will be on red alert.
It says it expects only two - Reggio Calabria in the southern tip of Italy's "boot" and Messina, facing it across on the island of Sicily - to be on the second-highest "amber" alert.
The ministry urges residents in the affected areas to avoid exposure to heat and direct sunlight during the hottest hours between 11:00 and 18:00, stay indoors and drink plenty of fluids.