The prolonged heatwave has claimed two lives within a few hours. Two men, aged 75 and 60, died in quick succession on different beaches, presumably as a result of health problems caused by the extreme sunshine and high temperatures.
The first accident occurred in Budoni, where a 75-year-old man suddenly collapsed on the beach. Despite the rapid intervention of rescue services - including a medically equipped ambulance from the 118 emergency service and a helicopter from the Areus rescue organization - all help came too late for the man.
Only a short time later, there was another emergency at the nearby Lu Impostu beach in San Teodoro. There, a 60-year-old man suffered a fainting spell, from which he died despite immediate resuscitation attempts by the medical staff.
The extreme temperatures currently affecting large parts of Sardinia and Italy pose major health risks for both locals and tourists. Health authorities are warning older people and people with pre-existing conditions in particular not to spend long periods in the sun during the hottest hours of the day.
