Major fire between Villafranca Tirrena and Milazzo shuts down highway and schools

Last Updated: October 20, 2023

In the province of Messina, in Villafranca Tirrena, fires have spread to the areas near the A20 highway, leading to the closure of the highway section between Villafranca and Milazzo. The firefighters are working on multiple fronts to combat the wildfires, which have reemerged during the hot weather in Sicily. The flames have also endangered the service areas along the highway, forcing some drivers to navigate through long stretches of fire. Due to the severity of the situation, the mayor of Villafranca Tirrena has decided to close all schools and social facilities. In addition, a large fire in the province of Palermo has led to the closure of the A19 between Termini Imerese and Trabia. Residents have been forced to evacuate their homes as the fires have reached urban areas.