Temperatures topped 40 C and gusts of hot wind fanned the flames in the southern Italian island, where wildfires have been raging for several days.
Around 6,000 firefighters, forest guards and civil protection officials were deployed to battle the flames with the help of water-bombing aircraft, the head of the region, Renato Schifani, said, adding that 50 fires were still raging.
Scientists agree that climate change caused by humans burning fossil fuels is making extreme weather events such as fires and heatwaves more likely and more severe.
A fast-moving fire displaced thousands near Bordeaux, France. Photo by AFP
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said a firefighter died after falling ill while battling the flames.
