Camaldoli fire extinguished, but controversy over rescue delays

Naples. The fire that broke out yesterday afternoon on the Camaldoli hill in Naples, licking homes and burning forests and chestnut groves, has finally been extinguished after more than 24 hours.

However, the flames, most likely of a malicious nature, have also sparked a controversy over delays in air rescue operations.

Only this morning, in fact, with the arrival of three Canadairs, was it possible to effectively fight the fire.

Mayor Manfredi explained that “yesterday afternoon these aircraft were not available”, although he admitted that “we followed the procedures”.

The mayor then added that "there was also a lack of aircraft that could not intervene when it got dark".

“This made operations very difficult,” concluded Manfredi.

His words provoked a reaction from the member of the Green and Left Alliance Francesco Borrelli, who announced a parliamentary question to find out "why the aircraft arrived several hours late".

The prefect of Naples, Michele di Bari, also wanted to point out that "the rescue center was activated immediately" and that "it is not true that the nuns were evacuated".

The fire, however, caused significant damage to the environment, as well as inconvenience to local residents, who were forced to deal with acrid smoke and ash.

The episode has reignited the debate on the need to increase the fire-fighting aerial resources available to law enforcement, especially in a period of particular drought such as the current one.