Catania burns from the heat and the suffocating African wind and from the flames that fuel several fires.
The most affected area is that in the Fossa Creta district where several families have been forced to leave their homes.
An intense cloud of smoke rises in the area.
The service axis is closed to traffic and access to some roads is also blocked.
A fire destroyed the Le Capannine bathing establishment on the Plaia seafront.
Numerous firefighters are engaged on various fronts.
Reinforcements are coming to Catania from other main Sicilian commands.
Due to the fires that broke out near the airport, the international airport of Catania has suspended the flight operations on arrival and departure to allow the intervention of the fire brigade helicopters.