Italy issues emergency warnings; Europe’s heatwave sets in in Greece and the Balkans

Extreme heat from a high-pressure system called Cerberus – named after the three-headed dog from Dante’s Inferno – is battering Italy, Greece and the Balkans.

Italy’s health ministry has warned of “emergency” heatwave conditions in 15 cities, including Rome, Florence and Bologna, over the next three days. The Greek government is asking the private sector to use remote working if possible as temperatures rise to 45°C (113F).