Lightning strikes a tree in Villa Bonfiglio, splinters flying among the stalls

A tragedy was narrowly avoided on Tuesday afternoon when a violent storm struck the city of Agrigento. A lightning bolt hit a tree inside Villa Bonfiglio on Viale della Vittoria, scattering splinters throughout the surrounding area for about fifty meters.

Fortunately, at that moment, no one was walking along the green path, but there was a lot of fear among the business operators present during these festive days for the Mandorlo in fiore, with their activities within the perimeter of the city park.

“It ended well – recounts one of the merchants – we saw that bolt come and we got scared.”

It was some of them, caught in a panic, who reported the incident to 112. The provincial fire brigade intervened on site for an inspection and to ensure safety.

The storm from the day before yesterday was brief but intense, lasting just over half an hour, causing flooding and disruptions, to the point that even the lighting of the Friendship tripod was postponed.

At Villa Bonfiglio, it was a moment: the electric discharge struck the trunk of a large tree. In a matter of moments, a fire started, while the splinters landed just a few steps from the stalls. The firefighters, who arrived promptly, prevented any consequences. The rescuers acted quickly.