Did the MAFIA start wildfire that has forced 1,000 tourists to flee Italian resort? Mob expert says blaze by Mount Vesuvius was likely caused by burning trash at illegal landfill site
- Writer Roberto Saviano said criminal organisations in likelihood started the blaze in the Campanian national park
- Environment Minister Gian Luca Galletti has said that anyone guilty of the attack should be jailed for 15 years
- Hundreds of tourists have been forced to evacuate as the fire spread to slopes of Mount Vesuvius
The Mafia could be to blame for a huge wildfire which forced hundreds of tourists to be evacuated in Sicily, according to one of the country's top organised crime experts.
Around 1,000 tourists were evacuated by boat from wildfires in Sicily yesterday, as swathes of southern Italy burned after months with little rainfall.
In a Facebook post, writer Roberto Saviano said criminal organisations in likelihood started the blaze in the Campanian national park - which have spread to the slopes of Mount Vesuvius - in order to burn rubbish in illegal landfill sites, or prevent construction projects going ahead.
There were no reports of injuries caused by the blaze at the Calampiso seaside resort west of the island's capital Palermo, but the mayor of a nearby town appealed for help in the rescue.
Tourists had to be evacuated from the idyllic tourist spot after the fire broke out at the Calampiso seaside resort
Environment Minister Gian Luca Galletti said: 'If someone set fire to Vesuvius, I want to see them in jail for 15 years'
In a Facebook post, writer Roberto Saviano said criminal organisations said in likelihood started the blaze
Twenty-three fires were raging on Wednesday, Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said in a speech, adding the government was 'actively following this difficult situation'
Holidaymakers were forced to flee as the fire spread in Sicily, with experts speculating that organised crime figures could be to blame
In an appeal for help, Matteo Rizzo, mayor of San Vito Lo Capo, wrote on Facebook: 'We need minibuses and cars to pick people up at the little port and take them to school buildings. Let's all do something.'
Twenty-three fires were raging on Wednesday, Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said in a speech, adding the government was 'actively following this difficult situation'.
Tourists look on as the fire spreads to the slopes of Mount Vesuvius, which have sent vast clouds of smoke into the air
Hundreds of tourists were forced to flee as the fire spread, having started in the Campanian national park
Blazes on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius have sent vast clouds of smoke into the air near the port city of Naples, and Environment Minister Gian Luca Galletti said a man had been arrested on suspicion of arson.
'If someone set fire to Vesuvius, I want to see them in jail for 15 years,' Galletti was quoted saying in Italian media.
He added that a decision would be made in the next few hours about whether to send the army to the affected areas.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) said thousands of people, animals, and a nature reserve were at risk around the volcano
Beppe Grillo, leader of the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement, wrote on his blog: '#Vesuviusisburning' and called for a national state of emergency to be declared
A huge operation has been launched to put the fire out, with thousands displaced by the large blaze
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) said thousands of people, animals, and a nature reserve were at risk around the volcano.
'The situation is extreme, so extraordinary action needs to be taken,' WWF said in a statement.
Drought in the northern agricultural provinces of Parma and Piacenza prompted the government last week to declare states of emergency, which will free up extra funds to tackle the crisis.
Opposition politicians called for a similar response to the wildfires. Beppe Grillo, leader of the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement, wrote on his blog: '#Vesuviusisburning' and called for a national state of emergency to be declared.
Galletti was quoted by Corriere as saying that there were too many fires on Mount Vesuvius for them to be spontaneous, joining voices who say the Mafia appears to be behind many of the blazes.
'I don't have proof, but it does not seem to be an isolated action or chance: Three ignition points are too many to be the result of carelessness or combustion,' he said.
Danilo Giannese, one of the evacuees in Sicily, said he and his wife went swimming as usual early on Wednesday along with many other guests.
'The situation was a little surreal. We went to swim like every other day.
'From the early morning, we saw flames and smoke, but it didn't appear to be worrying and no one said to leave,' he told SKY TG24 on Thursday.
But around noon, the wind shifted and resort guests were told to immediately move their cars to safer ground.
They were told to gather on the beach for evacuation because the road to a nearby town was no longer safe.
'There was a lot of tension, especially among the elderly and children, many of whom were crying,' he said. 'Thankfully the operation was conducted in an orderly fashion.'
Stella Belliotti said she and her seven-year-old daughter were evacuated wearing just their bathing suits and flip flops, each holding pieces of cloth in their mouths against the smoke.
The holidaymakers were taken to a nearby town by fishing boats and dinghies.
'To see the resort surrounded by flames from the boat was terrible,' Ms Belliotti was quoted by Corriere as saying. Now we just want to forget it.'
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