16 dead in Italy heatwave

AT LEAST 16 people, mostly elderly, have died in northern Italy over the past two days from causes linked to a week-long heatwave, as temperatures in the country remained in the 30s Celsius.

At least five people died in Vicenza, in northern Italy, and four in Milan, yesterday. The deaths have been linked to the heat, as doctors say it might have aggravated heart and other medical problems.

Blasts of torrid air from northern Africa were blamed for the rise in temperatures and air conditioning use sparked record demand for electricity.