Southern Italy wildfire kills two firefighters
by AFP Staff Writers
Rome (AFP) July 17, 2024

Two firefighters died on Wednesday while battling a wildfire near the southern Italian city of Matera, Italy's fire and rescue service said on X.

"This afternoon, during operations to fight a wildfire, two firefighters lost their lives. The circumstances of this event are yet to be determined," it said.

Rome city hall said another "vast" fire had broken out near the city and advised inhabitants within three kilometres (1.9 miles) of the blaze to keep their windows closed and avoid physical activity outdoors.

Small wildfires have been breaking out on an almost daily basis in Italy, particularly in the south and on its islands, amid a heatwave.

A blaze near Rome on Tuesday interrupted rail connections between the Italian capital and the southern city of Naples.

Scientists agree that human-caused climate change is making extreme weather events including heatwaves and wildfires more likely and more intense.

Last year, Rome recorded a record peak temperature of 42.9C on July 18, according to city hall.

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