Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa express condolences as death toll from wildfires reaches four this season, with firefighters losing their lives in tragic accidents.
Wildfires Across Spain and Portugal Claim More Lives Amid Ongoing Heatwave
Wildfires Across Spain and Portugal Claim More Lives Amid Ongoing Heatwave
The death toll in the ongoing wildfires in Spain and Portugal rises as both nations intensify firefighting efforts, amid widespread evacuations and devastating loss of land.
Spain is ramping up its firefighting capabilities by deploying an additional 500 troops to combat the ferocious wildfires ravaging the country, increasing the total number of troops on the ground to 1,900. The death toll from these devastating blazes has now tragically climbed to four, following the death of a firefighter who lost his life during an operation in Castile and León this past Sunday. In a heart-wrenching statement on social media platform X, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez conveyed his "sadness" and "desolation" over the recent fatalities.
Meanwhile, in neighboring Portugal, another firefighter died on the same day due to a "tragic" traffic incident while en-route to battle the flames, as noted by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who also expressed heartfelt condolences to the fallen firefighter’s family.
The situation across southern Europe remains dire, with multiple countries grappling with the crisis. Wildfires are reported in regions across Greece, France, Turkey, and the Balkans, largely fueled by an intense heatwave that has gripped the area.
In Spain, particularly in the northwest and western regions, residents are facing severe conditions as approximately 27,000 individuals have been evacuated from their homes. The most affected region appears to be Castile and León, which local media describes as having "unbreathable" air due to the thick smoke. Furthermore, an uncontrolled blaze in the Cáceres province has ravaged around 11,000 hectares (nearly 27,181 acres), while the northwestern region of Galicia battles twelve active wildfires.
Over the weekend, the fires resulted in multiple injuries, including four individuals left in critical condition in Castile and León. Tragically, the past week has seen the deaths of two volunteers in León, as well as another man in Tres Cantos near Madrid. Current statistics from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) reveal that nearly 343,000 hectares in Spain have burned this year—almost double the amount from the previous year.
In response to the chaos, Spain’s Civil Guard has proposed sanctions against four individuals for allegedly engaging in unauthorized burning in the Galicia region, emphasizing that causing a wildfire may lead to criminal charges, even if unintentional.
Portugal, similarly struck by wildfires since late July, has reported significant damage, particularly in the north and central regions of the country. President Rebelo de Sousa sent messages of sympathy to the family of the fallen firefighter and extended support for the injured.
Both Spain and Portugal have activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism to facilitate assistance during this crisis, with help arriving from other countries, including two firefighting planes on standby.
While wildfires are commonplace in southern Europe during summer months, the intensity has increased, as highlighted by meteorological data linking extreme events to the impacts of climate change. Research from Spain's state meteorological agency indicates that severe weather patterns are becoming more frequent and intense due to human activities, emphasizing the urgency for action in the face of climate challenges.
