- Title: ITALY: PEOPLE SEEK REFUGE AT BEACH AS HEATWAVE CONTINUES
- Date: 16th August 2003
- Summary: (EU) ROME, ITALY (AUGUST 14, 2003)(REUTERS) 1. VARIOUS OF EMPTY ROADS AND STOCKSHOTS 2. HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE WITH PASSENGERS 3. VIEW OF ROAD WITH BUS 4. COUPLE WALKING WITH UMBRELLA 5. WOMAN LOOKING AT POSTERS WITH BOTTLE OF WATER 6. TOURIST WITH MAP WALKING 7. BUST OF A STATUE 8. (SOUNDBITE)(English) TWO BRITISH TOURISTS SAYING "We are struggling. We are English, so it's very hot." 9. (SOUNDBITE)(Italian) MARTINA NARDI, ITALIAN SHOPKEEPER, SAYING "I am fine, I am not too sure about the others, though. I have just returned from my holidays and now I am working, covering also those shopkeepers in the area who have gone on holiday, closing their premises. I am really fine." 10. VARIOUS OF CLOSED SHOPS WITH SIGNS READING: "CLOSED FOR HOLIDAYS" (W5) OSTIA, ITALY (AUGUST 14, 2003)(REUTERS) 11. JETSKI RACING ON THE SEA 12. VARIOUS OF OSTIA LIDO WITH PEOPLE SUNBATHING AND WALKING ALONG SHORE 13. (SOUNDBITE)(Italian) GUIDO, ITALIAN HOLIDAY-MAKER, SAYING "I am quite confident that we will miss this weather when winter will come back. I prefer the heat." 14. BEACH VENDOR WALKING ON THE SAND 15. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE SWIMMING 2.27 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 31st August 2003 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: ROME AND OSTIA, ITALY
- Country: Italy
- Reuters ID: LVA9KNHVNKATU3T1H0S2N9X6K0FN
- Story Text: More and more people are seeking refuge at the
beach, leaving the cities quiet and empty, as a heatwave
continues to grip Italy.
Rome was still enduring sweltering heat on Thursday
(August 14, 2003), with little sign of any cooler weather to
relieve residents and tourists before the long mid-August
weekend.
The scenario in the Italian capital on Thursday was one
of deserted roads, with closed shops and few brave
tourists challenging the high temperatures.
"We are struggling. We are English, so it's very hot
(for us)," said two tired and sweaty tourists, who were
wondering the city's centre during the hottest hours of the
day.
The majority of Roman residents have left the city
heading for summer resorts, temporarily shutting down their
shops and stopping their working activities.
"I am fine. I am not too sure about the others,
though," said Martina, the owner of one of the few open
Tabacchi shops.
"I have just returned from my holidays, and now I am
working, covering also those shopkeepers in the area who
have gone on holiday closing their premises," continued
Martina.
Meanwhile, sea resorts all around Rome were overcrowded
with people engaging in sporting activities, or simply
enjoying the sunshine and cooling down in the sea.
Italy's long coastline has proved to be a blessing, the
sea offering one of the few effective remedies against an
extraordinary heatwave that has given little or no relief
throughout the summer.
"I am sure that we will miss this weather when winter
will come back," said Guido, sitting by the sea in Ostia,
30 kilometres from Rome.
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