Two Italian firefighters die while extinguishing a fire in the south of the country

Jul 18 () –

Firefighters in Italy confirmed on Wednesday that two of their members died while working on an operation to extinguish a vegetation fire in the municipality of Nova Siri, located in the southern province of Matera.

“Matera, two firefighters killed in a vegetation fire during operations to extinguish the fire in Nova Siri. The facts are still to be determined,” the Italian Fire Department announced on its social media account X.

The mayor of Nova Siri, Antonello Mele, has identified the two firefighters as Giuseppe Lasalata and Antonio Martino, both 45, who fell into a ravine while trying to save a family whose house was in danger from the fire, Italian television channel Rai reported.

For her part, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her “deep sorrow” for the events and expressed her condolences to the families of the victims.

“Deep sorrow for the tragic death of two firefighters during operations to put out a fire in Nova Siri (Matera). My deepest condolences to the families of the victims and a strong hug of closeness to the colleagues and the entire Fire Department,” Meloni expressed on social networks.