Arsonists tied burning rags to stray cats before setting them loose to spread wildfires through one of Italy's largest national parks, investigators have revealed.
The terrified animals ran through Pollino National Park in Calabria, igniting fires as they fled and leaving vast swathes of the protected landscape devastated.
Investigators also discovered candles and delayed ignition devices among the charred remains, suggesting the blazes had been carefully planned.
The fires tore through the park this week, causing widespread destruction across one of southern Italy's most treasured natural landscapes.
Domenico Costarella, from Calabria's civil protection agency, described the horrific tactic.
"These animals were released into the fields, running around and spreading the fire," he said.
He condemned those responsible, adding: "These are inhumane acts. Sadly, men are their own worst enemies."
Italy's animal defence association has offered a €1,000 (£870) reward for information leading to those behind the attacks.
The fires tore through the park this week, causing widespread destruction across the treasured natural landscapes
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Officials say the method has been used before by organised crime groups in southern Italy.
In 2016, Mafia-linked criminals were blamed for using animals to spread fires through the Nebrodi Regional Park in Sicily.
The Camorra was also accused of using the same tactic to ignite woodland around Mount Vesuvius a year later, triggering mass evacuations and the deployment of the military.
Researchers believe the fires form part of a wider land-grab strategy, with criminal groups attempting to buy scorched land at heavily discounted prices.
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Officials have blamed 'malicious individuals' for many of the blazes in Calabria
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Authorities have recorded more than 160 wildfires across Calabria, with officials blaming "malicious individuals" for many of the blazes.
Italy's wildfire crisis has been concentrated in the country's south, where thousands of firefighters, forest wardens and civil protection workers continue battling dozens of fires across Sicily.
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi confirmed one firefighter has died tackling the blazes, while officials warned extreme heat and tinder-dry conditions are fuelling the emergency.
The crisis has spread beyond Italy, with wildfires in southwest France forcing more than 110,000 people from their homes.
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi confirmed one firefighter has died tackling the blazes
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President Emmanuel Macron has deployed the armed forces to help firefighters as flames threaten Bordeaux.
Meanwhile, Spain has declared a state of emergency after a massive wildfire west of Madrid forced at least 30,000 people to flee their homes.
The blaze, described by Madrid regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso as the "worst fire in the history of the region", has burned through around 15,000 hectares across Madrid and neighbouring Avila province.
Officials warned the inferno is now beyond firefighters' ability to contain after three separate wildfires merged into a single front, fuelled by soaring temperatures, strong winds and tinder-dry conditions.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned on Friday that the country was "living through a dramatic situation".