Milan:
Italy asked European states on Sunday to send firefighting aircraft to assist tame fires that have swept across components of the island of Sardinia, prompting the evacuation of hundreds of folks.
Italy’s Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio mentioned on Facebook the country’s civil protection authority had issued the request and mentioned he was grateful for assist that was currently becoming sent.
“Two (aircraft) are on their way from France, which I officially thank,” Di Maio mentioned.
Fires have raged across the province of Oristano in the central western area of the Italian island, burning thousands of acres of land, killing animals and damaging house.
There have been no instant reports of deaths or severe injuries but Italian news agency ANSA mentioned 400 folks had been evacuated from their residences on Sunday, soon after a equivalent quantity left overnight.
The civil protection authority mentioned seven Canadair aircraft, amphibious planes used to choose up water to drop on fires, have been at work in the Oristano region.
“The fires today have mainly affected the south,” it mentioned.
Hot southwesterly winds have complex the work.
Christian Solinas, president of the Sardinia Region, described the fires as “a disaster without precedent”.
He mentioned it was not probable to ascertain the complete extent of the harm but mentioned he would asked Prime Minister Mario Draghi to allocate recovery fund revenue for reforestation projects.
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