Safina (PD): "The province of Trapani is being devoured by flames, the regional government is silent. It's a crime against Sicily."

"Last night, Castelluzzo, San Vito, Custonaci, Alcamo, Buseto, Calatafimi, Scopello, Monte Cofano, Inici, and Zingaro were devoured by flames. An environmental disaster of dramatic proportions that, once again, highlights the regional government's complete lack of a fire prevention strategy," said Dario Safina, regional deputy for the Democratic Party.

"Dozens of hectares burned, homes evacuated, flames spreading throughout the province of Trapani and across large areas of Sicily. Faced with all this," Safina continues, "we are witnessing the deafening silence of President Schifani and his government. This is unacceptable and shameful."

The Democratic Party parliamentarian emphasizes that for years the opposition has been putting forward concrete proposals, but they have gone unheeded. "For years now, we have been calling for greater involvement of civil defense associations, as is already the case in Tuscany, for the purchase of new equipment, and for the strengthening of firefighting team staff. We have suggested the approval of the so-called 'Vote Law,' to enter into agreements with the Italian Air Force and use drones for territorial surveillance and therefore fire prevention."

"All these measures are practicable, immediate, and have already been tested elsewhere," Safina continues, "and yet the regional government's only response has been silence. If the opposition's proposals aren't appreciated, then Schifani should tell us what measures he intends to adopt, beyond the inauguration of the operations rooms, which clearly aren't enough on their own. Sicilian citizens have the right to feel protected and safe, and we cannot continue to watch helplessly as our natural heritage is being destroyed."

"We can no longer ask volunteers, firefighters, and law enforcement to make up for the lack of effective governance. An immediate change of pace is needed," concludes the Honorable Safina, "because we can no longer allow Sicily to continue burning amid the indifference of those who should protect it. This is despite the commendable efforts of the regional Civil Protection Department, which, however, cannot alone compensate for the shortcomings of politics. We hope that President Schifani will not engage in the usual buck-passing among offices, mayors, and local authorities, but will finally take responsibility for his government's failure to address fire prevention."