Italy – USA warns tourists of Naples waste

Resident pushes stroller past pile of rubbish in Naples. The city‘‘s landfill sites are full and rubbish is overflowing in the streets The US embassy in Rome has warned American tourists that they may face health risks if they travel to Naples, because of the city‘‘s rubbish crisis.



The streets of the southern Italian city have been strewn with rotting waste since May. The US embassy warns that fires lit by local citizens to try and get rid of the rubbish may give off toxic fumes. It also warns that tourists may encounter demonstrations from residents angered by the crisis.



Correspondents say the crisis has its roots in political mismanagement and the involvement of organised crime.



"US citizens travelling to or through the area may encounter mounds of garbage, open fires with potentially toxic fumes and sporadic public demonstrations by local residents," the embassy warns in its advisory note. It says that airborne particles and fumes from the burning rubbish could worsen breathing problems.



According to Italy‘‘s Corriere della Sera newspaper, firemen had to put out at least 30 fires overnight.