Sicily’s Etnaland fun park has been shut down by authorities over illegal waste dumping

Sicily’s famous Etnaland fun park has been seized by the authorities after a years-long investigation into alleged environmental damage caused by illegal waste disposal.

Investigations, which began in August 2022 after authorities were notified of illegal dumping, uncovered large pits and suspicious materials in the area around the park. That discovery prompted an investigation into the park and its director, Francesco Andrea Russello.

The investigations concluded that the park’s owners were burning and burying rubbish in a nearby field and dumping unfiltered, chemically treated pool water into an artificial lake, Italian media reported.

Earlier this week, law enforcement officials raided the park, taking full control of it and accusing the park and its owners of a massive illegal dumping conspiracy.

It is said that park employees would collect rubbish from around the park every afternoon, take it to a nearby tract of land owned by the park owner, Russello, and dump it there. At night, the waste would be burned and buried.

Investigators discovered a nine-metre-high pit filled with illegally burnt waste. They also accused the park’s owners of discharging chlorinated water directly from the swimming pools into a nearby man-made lake without filtration.

Etnaland and Russello have now been charged with illegal dumping, burning, and illegal transportation of waste, as well as crimes against the environment.

Etnaland is the largest amusement park in southern Italy, spanning a vast 280,000sq.m on the slopes of Mount Etna. It is very popular among Maltese holidaymakers.

The park will remain closed for the foreseeable future.