Several swarms of sandflies caused significant discomfort this past weekend at Gardaland and the southern shores of Lake Garda. The region around Peschiera del Garda, on the Verona side of the lake, was particularly affected. Gardaland, Italy's most famous amusement park, located near the lake, was besieged by these flying insects. The most severe swarm occurred on Friday, September 6, between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., impacting both park visitors and locals.
Gardaland and Peschiera del Garda Under Siege
Due to the massive insect infestation, Gardaland had to temporarily close its outdoor attractions. Many visitors fled from the rides and sought shelter indoors. The sandflies penetrated clothing and caused great discomfort. Eyewitnesses reported that the insects invaded every body opening, even making their way into underwear.
The southern shores of Lake Garda, particularly the Verona side near Peschiera del Garda, were also heavily impacted. Both locals and tourists struggled to cope with the sudden insect invasion, especially in outdoor areas where it was difficult to find protection.
The cause of the infestation remains unknown
Although the exact cause of the phenomenon remains unclear, investigations are underway to determine what triggered the infestation. Filippo Gavazzoni, deputy mayor of Peschiera del Garda, explained that such swarms usually appear in the spring and in livestock breeding areas, which does not apply in this case. “We have consulted experts and are currently awaiting further results to understand why these insects have invaded our region at this particular time,” said Gavazzoni.
Locals and tourists in a State of Emergency
The sand fly plague hit the region unexpectedly. Both locals and tourists were equally affected and found themselves seeking refuge indoors. Gardaland had to act quickly and implement protective measures to mitigate the situation. Videos of park visitors fleeing from the insects have circulated on social media, highlighting the scale of the infestation.
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