As the thermometer soared to 45C, barely a soul could be found on the dusty streets of Decimomannu in southern Sardinia. It seemed that anyone brave enough to leave their homes had taken refuge in the only air-conditioned bar open on the central thoroughfare after lunch.
A sleepy town of 8,000 located near the Sardinian capital of Cagliari, Decimomannu is currently one of Italy’s hottest locations, and experts had predicted record temperatures on Tuesday and Wednesday. Locals say many have locked themselves in shuttered homes or fled to surrounding beaches.
“By 2pm the streets are completely deserted. It’s a disaster,” said Luigi Aru, 65, as he sipped a glass of water under a sunscreen outside the air-conditioned bar. “At night, it feels like you are
