They wanted to photograph the flamingos but ventured too far, past the signs indicating "no trespassing," and two tourists sank into the muddy area of the salt flats. It happened along Viale Colombo in Quartu, where countless people stop every day to photograph the splendid pink birds that populate the park.
The two women found themselves in waist-deep mud, unable to move. Passersby who witnessed the scene immediately alerted emergency services.
Firefighters, ambulances, and local police arrived on the scene, having to control the traffic of people who stopped to witness the scene. To rescue the two women, firefighters placed ladders upside down in the mud to prevent them from sinking. Once they were safe, they were then given water and cleaned of mud.
No one was injured and there was no need to take them to the hospital. Prohibition signs are in place in the area, where some people had previously ventured too far. The Management of the Molentargius-Saline Regional Park reminds that "it is strictly forbidden to trespass beyond the areas closed to the public, which are clearly marked with appropriate signage. Molentargius is a protected area, and the restrictions are in place to prevent access by people whose presence could harm the birdlife and compromise the balance and integrity of the Park's delicate ecosystem. Violations of these regulations are subject to fines, some of which are significant."
"What happened this morning," says Marianna Mossa , director of the Park, "further demonstrates that respecting the restrictions is also essential for public safety. The basins are neither accessible nor passable: the surface of the sediments may appear stable, but they hide extremely treacherous conditions, and the risk of sinking can suddenly arise, as unfortunately happened this morning." The park, she adds, "is particularly committed to developing a system for the use of the publicly accessible areas that will enhance the natural heritage of Molentargius while ensuring the safety of visitors and respecting the protection of birdlife and habitats."