Devastating wildfires in Sicily: Nearly 100 residents of the island, as well as patients from a clinic, have been evacuated / Temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius have been recorded.

Italian firefighters battled wildfires and vegetation fires in Sicily on Wednesday evening. About 100 residents and 22 patients from a clinic in the center of the island were evacuated. Firefighters announced that 6,000 people, including forest rangers and civil protection members, are mobilized, and 20 aircraft are conducting firefighting operations. The president of the region, Renato Schifani, stated that nearly 50 of the 344 reported fires have not yet been extinguished.

The situation is considered serious, being favored by extremely high temperatures and dry soil due to a lack of precipitation. Since the beginning of the week, firefighters have responded to over 1,000 fires in Sicily. The fire in the center of the island temporarily affected the drinking water supply for approximately 20 municipalities. Temperatures have exceeded 45 degrees Celsius in several areas, and climate change is contributing to the increased frequency of droughts, risking desertification of 70% of the territory.