One million at risk in heatwave

A HEATWAVE in Italy has killed seven people and put the health of one million people at risk.

The government has warned the situation could be worse than the summer of 2003 when 20,000 people died due to soaring temperatures.

Authorities have asked doctors to keep an eye on patients above 75 years of age who are most vulnerable, hoping to avoid a repeat of the death-rate of two years ago which has been revised up from 8,000.