Wildfire in Sardinia forces dozens to flee beach by boat

MILAN (Reuters) -Dozens of beachgoers in Sardinia were forced to flee by boat on Sunday when a huge wildfire broke out nearby, blocking other escape routes, firefighters on the Italian island said.

Black smoke could be seen rising from the beach in Villasimius in the south of the island.

Strong winds were hindering rescue efforts, firefighters said in a statement, adding that several cars had been burned.

Italy has been sweltering under summer heat-waves, with wildfires particularly affecting arid southern regions.

(Reporting by Sara Rossi, Yesim Dikmen, editing by Giles Elgood)