ROME, June 27 (RIA Novosti) - Blistering hot weather caused the death of ten people in two days across Italy, as abnormal temperatures set in Tuesday, local media said Wednesday.
Media reported that elderly people suffering from heart problems were most affected by the unbearably hot weather, while about half a million residents at Apennines were left without electricity, disrupted due to the mass surge by consumers switching on fans and air conditioners.
A local resident of Sicilia said forests were on fire in the south of the country while temperatures over the last two days exceeded 42 °C (108 °F) in Palermo, and over 46 °C (115 °F) in Catania.
The blazing sun also caused damage to the country's agriculture destroying thousands of hectares of wheat, barley, and oat crops.
Around 3,000 Italians died in 2003 when temperatures averaged between 38°C (100.4 °F) and 40°C (104 °F).
