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• Since the beginning of July 2022, Italy has been experiencing a major heatwave and drought.

• On social networks, some Italians have shared a video of a bus in flames. But contrary to what these accounts claim, this fire has nothing to do with the current heatwave. It took place on April 16, 2022 following the breakdown of a methane-powered bus.

• Other users posted an image showing a melted traffic light. Again, this photograph is not related to the heatwave. The damage was caused by a scooter fire.

The fact check, in detail

Since the beginning of July, Italy has been experiencing a severe drought and high temperatures. On July 5, the government declared a state of emergency in five regions in the north of the country. These measures are intended to combat the lack of water, the risk of fires and the consequences of the heatwaves that have hit cities such as Rome, Bologna and Milan.

In this context, some Italians are sharing images online supposedly showing the consequences of these extreme weather conditions. However, among the genuine posts, other photographs and videos that have accumulated more than 15,000 views are actually false.

This bus didn't catch fire due to the heatwave

For example, some Italian Facebook accounts have shared a video showing a bus in flames. According to them, it is an Italian electric vehicle whose battery caught fire due to the high temperatures.

What does this video really show? To find out, you need to...

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