Fires on the Amalfi Coast: Prosecutor's Office suspects shared responsibility

Salerno – A possible shared agenda is behind the fires that, between September 13th and 16th, affected several areas of the Amalfi Coast and the slopes of the Lattari Mountains. This is the hypothesis being examined by the Salerno Prosecutor's Office, which has opened separate criminal proceedings, currently against unknown persons, on charges of forest fires.

The investigation is also being entrusted to the task force of the Carabinieri Forestry Fire Information Unit, which specializes in reconstructing the origin of the fires and identifying any perpetrators. Investigators will determine whether the various incidents, believed to be intentional, can be linked by operational methods, ignition timing, or other common factors.

The fires between Amalfi and Agerola

One of the largest fires broke out on the night of September 13th in Vettica, in the Amalfi province. The flames, fanned by wind and favored by dry weather, spread over the following hours and days to the areas of Tovere, also in Amalfi, and San Lazzaro di Agerola, spreading as far as Grado, in the municipality of Conca dei Marini.

The fire front also approached some homes, but evacuation of residents was not necessary. However, the environmental damage caused by the flames' passage through an area characterized by Mediterranean vegetation and landscapes of particular scenic value remains significant.

Positano and Vico Equense

At the same time, another fire was reported along the Amalfi Coast Highway 163, near the town of San Pietro. The blaze quickly spread towards the hamlet of Nocelle, in the municipality of Positano, destroying approximately four hectares of Mediterranean scrub.

Another large fire broke out on the evening of September 13th in Acquata, in the municipality of Vico Equense. Wind and drought also favored the flames, which spread as far as Tordigliano and then, between September 14th and 15th, to the portion of the territory falling within the municipality of Positano.

The hypothesis of malicious intent

The result was extensive damage to green areas and a land protection system under severe pressure for several days. The fires affected the municipalities of Amalfi, Agerola, Positano, and Vico Equense, at a time made more critical by weather conditions favorable to the spread of the fire.
The investigation now aims to clarify whether these were separate incidents or whether, as investigators suspect, there may have been a single plan behind the fires.