Chaos reigns in Sicily from the fires, as the Sicilian capital Palermo is on fire.

Local Italian media reported that the city was “surrounded” by fires after record high temperatures in recent weeks.

Italian media reported that a firefighter was seriously injured while trying to fight one of the flames, which were being fueled by strong winds.

Half of the city’s bus services have been disrupted as vehicles overheat and cannot cool down due to consistently high temperatures.

A large hospital in north of the city is threatened by the flames. More than a thousand families have been displaced from neighborhoods on the outskirts of the city. and over 200 people sought medical attention for respiratory problems from the smoke.

An 88-year-old woman died after emergency services were unable to reach her due to the fires.

The farmers’ union, Coldiretti, said Sicily was facing an “unprecedented disaster and incalculable environmental damage”.

Sicilian regional president Nello Musumeci wrote on Facebook: “This is one of the most difficult days in the history of Italy for 10 years. Climate change has affected our nation and requires us all to change our behaviors. There are no excuses”.