700 evacuated as wildfire rages on Italy's Elba Island

ROME, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- At least 700 residents had to be evacuated as a vast wildfire scorched the Italian island of Elba late on Monday, authorities said. The blaze was contained on Tuesday.

The fire was fueled by back-to-back summer heatwaves and droughts that have left trees and plants in the region dry and brittle. Strong winds have also been a factor, regional authorities said.