Severe heat leads to increase in deaths in central, southern regions of Italy

Italy's central and southern regions registered an excess mortality rate of 7% in July, when the country experienced a series of extraordinary heatwaves, according to health ministry data, Report informs referring to ANSA.

It said people aged over 75 were especially affected by the rise in the number of deaths.

The excess mortality rates were especially high in Bari (up 50%), Taranto (42%), and Reggio Calabria and Catania (34%).

It said deaths were down 14% on what would have been expected in northern cities, where the heatwaves were less intense, while health services were boosted.

Scientists say the climate crisis caused by human greenhouse gas emissions is making extreme weather events such as heatwaves, drought, supercharged storms and flooding more frequent and more intense.