Dramatic sea rescue: Hundreds evacuated from Italian wildfire

The Italian coast guard executed a large-scale sea evacuation, rescuing over 400 tourists and bathers from the coastal community of Pescichi in southern Italy's Puglia region. The operation was necessitated by a significant wildfire raging in the area.

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Currently, more than 400 tourists and bathers have been evacuated by sea, as this is the only escape route.

Authorities announced via WhatsApp that the sea was the sole escape route for those affected. A coast guard spokesperson confirmed that the evacuation was ongoing, with approximately 300 individuals still awaiting rescue. The operation involves six coast guard vessels, three financial police ships, and about a dozen private boats assisting in the transport and rescue efforts.

Footage from Italian media shows firefighting vehicles and a Canadair aircraft engaged in combating the flames. Despite the intensity of the fire, it is not currently posing a threat to residential areas in Pescichi, a town situated on the Adriatic coast. However, a vast plume of smoke is visible for many kilometers.

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The operations are underway and six coast guard ships have been mobilized... three financial police ships as well as about a dozen private vessels, which have been made available for passenger transport and support of the rescue operation.

Luigi d'Arenzo, the mayor of Pescichi, informed the local newspaper La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno that a Canadair aircraft was en route from Rome. He stated that the situation was "currently under control."

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We are awaiting the arrival of a Canadair from Rome. The situation is currently under control.