4 days ago
Thousands evacuated from homes across Spain as wildfires blaze amid soaring temperatures
Almost 6,000 people have had to be evacuated from their homes in Spain as wildfires continue to burn across mainland Europe amid a heatwave that could bring temperatures of 44C.
The deadly heat across large parts of the continent 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.
There are currently thousands of Irish tourists holidaying in Spain. Darragh Joyce and his partner, Rebecca have just returned home to Limerick from their honeymoon in Seville, where they said temperatures hit 41C.
'We were kind of ducking in and out, we didn't stay out in it too long. Every kind of café, bar or restaurant has mist sprinklers. As the day went on, there was no cool-down.
'We just got away with it and maybe got home in good time. The plane home, they send you out to the runway and you're left standing there for 15 minutes, I found that really tough, under the heat, just totally out in the open.'
In neighbouring Portugal, firefighters were battling three large wildfires in the centre and north of the country. Morocco is sending two aircraft to help fight the fires after two Portuguese planes broke down.
In Italy, where temperatures of 40C are expected in Florence later this week, a four-year-old boy died of heatstroke, and a red alert warning was issued for seven major cities, including Bologna and Florence. The boy had been found unconscious in the family's car in Sardinia and was airlifted to a Rome hospital, but died on Monday of irreversible brain damage.
In southern France, temperature records were broken in at least four weather stations, as the government called for vigilance.
The south-western city of Bordeaux hit a record 41.6C, while all-time records were broken at meteorological stations in Bergerac, Cognac and Saint Girons, according to the national weather service, Météo France.
The heatwave, France's second this summer, began on Friday and was forecast to last until about August 19 or 20. On Monday, 12 French departments were placed on red alert, the highest heat warning, with four more expected on Tuesday.
Meanwhile in Ireland, temperatures are set to hit nearly 30C today, while a thunderstorm warning will be in place between 3pm and 9pm, in Clare, Kerry and Limerick.
