A fast-moving wildfire forced the evacuation of more than 400 people by sea near the town of Peschici in Italy's southern Puglia region on July 26, 2026.
The blaze spread through forested areas along the Adriatic coast, prompting emergency responders to rescue tourists and beachgoers by boat, the only safe exit route available.
According to the coastguard, around 300 additional individuals were expected to be evacuated as operations continued. The evacuation involved six coastguard vessels, three boats from Italy's financial police, and approximately ten private boats assisting in the effort.
Firefighters and aerial waterbombers worked to contain the blaze, which, while producing a large smoke plume visible from kilometers away, was not immediately threatening residential areas in Peschici.
Local authorities confirmed the situation was under control, with Peschici’s mayor Luigi d'Arenzo stating that emergency teams were managing the fire effectively.
