Hundreds of people had to leave their homes, several hectares of pine forests were destroyed, as well as large citrus groves near the village of Sarrabus. Helicopters and firefighting aircraft were used to fight the fires. The flames, driven by strong winds, had spread rapidly towards Siniscola and the seaside resort of La Caletta in the north-east of the island on Sunday, Italian media reported.
“There is no absolute certainty, but I find it difficult to believe that the flames were not caused by arson. The damage is enormous for our area, a wound that will not be easy to heal,” said the mayor of the small town of Muravera , Salvatore Piu. The town was also badly affected by fires.
Three dead from fires
Severe fires had already broken out in Sicily in the past few weeks. Three people died as a result. At a Council of Ministers meeting on Monday (today), the Italian government wants to increase penalties for arson.
A source of fire was also reported on the mainland in the northern Italian region of Liguria on Sunday evening. Therefore, the rail connection between Turin and the Ligurian port of Savona had to be interrupted.
