Acorn High H1 - 1920 x 116
Acorn High H1 - 1920 x 116
Acorn High H1 - 1920 x 116
Marymount - International School Rome

Italy wildfires: Mourners forced to abandon coffin during wake

Wildfires in Sicily leave devastation in their path.

Mourners were forced to flee the wake of an elderly man, abandoning his coffin, after the sudden arrival of a wildfire in a residential area of Sicily's capital Palermo on Tuesday.

The tragic incident occurred in the city's Borgo Nuovo district, leaving people to run for their lives as the fire devoured their homes. The coffin was reportedly destroyed in the blaze.

Local residents told LiveSicilia that they were "alive by a miracle", adding that they escaped the oncoming flames after putting wet clothing over their heads.

Sicily continues to battle devastating wildfires which have caused the deaths of three elderly people in the Palermo area in recent days.
JCU 724x450
Ambrit 1920 x 190
Ambrit 1920 x 190
Ambrit 1920 x 190
Marymount - International School Rome
Smiling H5 - 1400x 360