Citizens evacuated in Messina province spend night in churches

Last Updated: October 21, 2023

In the province of Messina, Italy, wildfires have caused widespread destruction and forced the evacuation of entire areas. Residents spent the night in churches far from the fires while their homes and businesses were reduced to ash. The fires threatened several towns, including Castroreale, Caronia, Mistretta, and Gioiosa. The Prefecture of Messina activated the Emergency Coordination Center to coordinate relief efforts. Volunteers from neighboring provinces have also joined in the firefighting efforts. Although many hotspots remain, officials are hoping for rain to help extinguish the flames. The Civil Protection Agency has issued a yellow alert for seven out of nine provinces in Sicily due to strong southern winds and the possibility of heavy rain and thunderstorms.