Two die, hotel evacuated in Sicily fires

Two people died, and 700 tourists were evacuated from their hotel overnight due to wildfires in northern Sicily. A 42-year-old woman died after trying to save her horses in Cefalu, east of Palermo. A 68-year-old man also died after fleeing his burning home near Balestrate, west of Palermo.

The estimated 700 guests from the Hotel Costa Verde near Cefalu were evacuated to a local sports hall late Friday as fires approached, although they returned around 2:00 am after the danger passed.  Firefighters reported a busy night across the whole of northern Sicily, although relief was expected from rain forecast for later Saturday, after several days of dry weather.