Wildfires, red alerts and attractions closed as heatwave sweeps southern Europe – video

Southern Europe is facing the possibility of record-breaking temperatures as it swelters under a severe heatwave.

Sixteen cities across Italy have issued with red alerts with forecasters suggesting that Sicily and Sardinia could see temperatures climb as high as 49C (120F), which would be the hottest ever recorded in Europe.

In recent days, temperatures in Greece have hit 40C or above. Volunteers have been handing out bottles of water at tourist sites, and authorities took the unusual step of briefly closing the Acropolis in Athens on Friday during the hottest period to protect visitors from the heat. People are advised to drink water, avoid direct exposure to the sun, wear light clothing, apply sunscreen and avoid coffee and alcohol, which are dehydrating

• European heatwave: red alerts issued for 16 cities in Italy