Fire at Bella Italia campsite on Lake Garda: 24 injured

Several people were injured in a fire at a large campsite on Lake Garda. According to the Italian authorities, a total of 24 people had to be treated on site or taken to hospital. One of them suffered severe burns to his legs. Most escaped with carbon monoxide poisoning. There was initially no more precise information about the cause of the fire. The police are investigating.

A group of firefighters from Hesse who were vacationing at the campsite helped extinguish the fire. The president of the region, Luca Zaia, thanked them. The helpers come from Dietzenbach in the Offenbach district - the volunteer fire department there shared several pictures of the operation on Facebook, which the regional president Zaia had previously posted. «Our comrades are challenged even on vacation! Thank you for your commitment under the most difficult conditions!” it said.

The flames rose many meters high

According to the authorities, the fire broke out in a bungalow at the “Bella Italia” campsite in the municipality of Peschiera del Garda on the southern shore of the lake shortly after 6 a.m., still in the dark. The flames rose many meters high. The column of smoke rose far up into the sky. According to the fire department, the fire was quickly brought under control.

According to the emergency services, seven people were taken to the emergency room, including a family from Switzerland with three children. Numerous ambulances were deployed along with the fire department. It was said that the extinguishing work was made more difficult by exploding gas bottles. The authorities initially did not provide any further information about the identities of the other injured people.

Also popular with German holidaymakers

The campsite on Italy's largest lake is advertised as a five-star facility that is particularly suitable for families. In addition to parking spaces for motorhomes, caravans and tents, there are numerous apartments there. About 20 structures were destroyed by the flames, it said.

Lake Garda is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Italy and is also very popular with tourists from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The region around the lake attracts numerous holidaymakers, especially in the summer months. In addition to the picturesque places on the lakeshore, the campsites, holiday resorts and amusement parks in the area are also popular.