Sicily's wildfires and heatwave crisis: tourist evacuations and Palermo airport closure

The scorching heatwave sweeping across southern Europe has led to devastating wildfires in the Italian island of Sicily, forcing evacuations of tourists and temporarily closing Palermo Airport. As the island grapples with soaring temperatures, residents and authorities are struggling to contain the raging fires and ensure the safety of visitors.

The situation reached a critical point on July 25 when Palermo Airport, which serves the island's capital, had to shut down operations due to fires breaking out nearby. The airport later partially reopened, but fires continued to burn in various parts of Sicily, with the archaeological park of Segesta being among the severely affected areas.

Tourists staying in resorts and hotels in different regions of the island faced evacuation orders as wildfires spread rapidly. In Carruba di Riposto, just north of Catania, a vast wildfire destroyed rich vegetation, prompting the evacuation of guests from popular resorts like Donna Carmela, San Antonio, and Galea agritourism. Meanwhile, on the west coast near Trapani, resorts, and hotels in San Vito Lo Capo were also evacuated to ensure the safety of visitors.

The fires have also caused immense damage to historical sites, including the iconic Doric Temple dating back to the 5th century B.C., which was reportedly engulfed in flames on July 24. The loss of such important cultural heritage adds to the tragic consequences of wildfires.

The situation at Palermo's Falcone Borsellino Airport was critical, with air traffic halted until 11 am local time on July 25. The airport managed to permit a limited number of outbound flights and a plane from Turin successfully landed amidst the challenging conditions. Transport minister Matteo Salvini assured that the airport would be operational for inbound flights by midday local time.

However, the fires have not only disrupted air travel but also caused significant road and rail disruption in the surrounding areas. Tragically, reports indicate that a woman lost her life as an ambulance was unable to reach her house due to the blaze.

Sicily has been sweltering in extreme heat, with temperatures hitting a scorching 46.7 degrees Celsius in Catania, coming close to the European record of 48.8 degrees Celsius recorded in Syracuse back in 2021. As a result, 16 cities in Italy, including Palermo and Catania, were put on red alert due to the hazardous conditions caused by the heatwave.

The northern city of Milan also faced its own challenges, as a storm on July 24 caused extensive damage by ripping off roofs and uprooting trees, leading to blocked roads and disruptions in the overground transport system.

Authorities are urging residents and visitors to exercise extreme caution during this heatwave and wildfire crisis, and they continue to work diligently to contain the fires and mitigate further damage. Tourists and locals alike are advised to stay informed about evacuation orders and road closures to ensure their safety in these dangerous conditions.

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