24.07.2026 01:00
An inhumane arson method has emerged from the wildfires ravaging Europe. In Italy, it has been revealed that arsonists tied fuel-soaked cloths to the tails of stray cats and set them on fire to spread flames over large areas. As Italy, France, and Spain succumb to the flames under these brutal methods, three firefighters lost their lives during extinguishing efforts, and thousands of hectares of land were reduced to ashes.
As the extreme heat and winds that have increased their impact across Europe cause massive forest fires, a shocking claim came from Italy. It was alleged that arsonists tied fuel-soaked rags to the tails of stray cats and set them on fire to spread the flames. In the fires that also affected France and Spain, 3 firefighters lost their lives.
THEY TURN CATS INTO LIVING TORCHES AND RELEASE THEM INTO FIELDS
Inhumane methods emerged behind the fires that have gripped Italy's Sicily and Calabria regions. Domenico Costarella from the Calabria Civil Protection Agency reported that arsonists used stray cats, stating, "These animals were released into the fields, running around in fear and spreading the fire to larger areas."
Regional civil defense authorities also blamed "malicious individuals" and arsonists who used animals for the disaster. It is known that similar cruel methods were used by the Italian mafia in 2016 and 2017 to fuel forest fires.
REWARD FOR THOSE WHO REPORT THE TORTURERS
According to a report by SkyTG24, the Italian Association for the Protection of Animals and the Environment filed an official criminal complaint regarding the incident. The association announced a reward of 1,000 euros (858 sterling) for anyone providing information that helps identify the individuals who set the cats on fire. It was reported that no arrests have been made yet in connection with the horrific event.
SICILY AND CALABRIA CONSUMED BY FLAMES
On the Mediterranean island of Sicily, approximately 6,000 firefighters, forest rangers, and civil defense personnel were deployed to combat dozens of fires fueled by high temperatures and strong winds.
Sicily Regional President Renato Schifani stated that as of Thursday morning, 50 fires remained active and that firefighting aircraft continued their aerial interventions. The Italian Civil Protection Agency, describing the situation as "serious," warned that the city's extremely dry soil is accelerating the fires. In the neighboring Calabria region, more than 160 fires were recorded.
PAINFUL TOLL IN FRANCE AND SPAIN: 3 FIREFIGHTERS LOSE THEIR LIVES
The situation has also reached critical levels in France and Spain, which have been overtaken by flames. On Wednesday, 3 firefighters lost their lives during ongoing firefighting operations in both countries. Thousands of people had to be evacuated to safe zones.
Two firefighters died while responding to a fire near Bordeaux airport in France, while 5,000 acres of land were scorched in the Arcachon Basin region in the country's southwest. A total of 12,000 people were evacuated in the area.
"FIREFIGHTERS AT THE LIMIT OF EXHAUSTION"
Firefighters' unions announced that personnel are facing extreme fatigue and "burnout," as well as a lack of equipment and resources. Fire Chief Wilfried Schneider summarized the situation in the fire zone, saying, "We are facing a difficult forest structure consisting of very dense and closely spaced pine trees."
High-level warnings against the risk of fire remain in effect across Europe.