Two murdered in European wildfires

(MENAFN) Two men died and thousands were evacuated as wildfires swept through southern Europe on Tuesday amid a severe heatwave. Heat alerts were issued in Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, and the Balkans, with temperatures forecasted to exceed 40°C. Experts say the extreme heat highlights the growing impacts of climate change, which is contributing to more frequent and intense heatwaves.

In Spain, a worker at an equestrian center north of Madrid died from serious burns after being trapped while trying to save horses in Tres Cantos, where winds of up to 70 km/h fanned the flames. In Montenegro, a soldier was killed and another injured when their water tanker overturned while combating fires near Podgorica. Italy also reported a child death from heatstroke on Monday.

Dozens of wildfires have struck Spain since the heatwave began, causing widespread evacuations. Hundreds of residents in Tres Cantos were forced to leave their homes, with the fire mainly damaging homes and agricultural facilities, according to Madrid officials. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez urged extreme caution, highlighting the high risk of forest fires.

In southern Andalusia, around 2,000 people were evacuated from hotels and residences near Tarifa as flames threatened the area. Authorities said they managed to protect the residential zone “at the last second.” In Castile and Leon, dozens of fires were reported, including one endangering Las Medulas, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for ancient Roman gold mines.

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