An Italian firefighter died on Wednesday while battling flames in southern Sicily, where dozens of forest and bush fires are raging, authorities said.
Around 100 residents, as well as 22 patients from a clinic in the inland town of Santo Stefano Quisquina – where temperatures have exceeded 40°C in recent days – were evacuated on Wednesday, according to the fire service.
The blaze, which has been raging for several days, has temporarily cut off the drinking water supply to around 20 municipalities, according to the local water supplier.
“6,000 personnel have been deployed and 20 aircraft are in operation,” said the region’s president Renato Schifani on Wednesday evening, adding that nearly 50 fires – out of 344 reported on Wednesday – were still burning.
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