Thousands evacuated in Spain amid deadly wildfires and new heatwave
The deadly heat across large parts of Europe has created what scientists have called a 'molotov cocktail' of climatic conditions that is fuelling vast wildfires.
A man caught in a blaze on Monday night in Tres Cantos, near Madrid, died in hospital after suffering 98% burns. The fire – described by the regional environment minister as having 'explosive characteristics because of a dry storm that has brought winds of more than 70km/h' – was being brought under control on Tuesday morning, with 180 people forced to evacuate and spend the night in local sports centres.
In the north-western region of Castilla y León, more than 3,700 people were evacuated from 16 municipalities. Ten fires were still burning on Tuesday and the Unesco world heritage-listed Roman-era mining site at Les Médulas was damaged by the flames.
In the southern town of Tarifa, firefighters and planes were still battling a fire that broke out on Monday, with 2,000 people evacuated.
The blazes have led the interior ministry to declare a 'pre-emergency phase' to help coordinate emergency resources.
The prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, offered his condolences to the family of the man who died after the Tres Cantos fire, and thanked the emergency services for their 'tireless efforts'.
He urged people to recognise the seriousness of the situation. 'We're at extreme risk of forest fires,' he said in a message on X on Tuesday. 'Let's be very careful.' The Guardian
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