Deadly fires and oppressive heatwave strike the Iberian Peninsula.
Extreme Heatwave Hits the Iberian Peninsula
The Iberian Peninsula is facing an extreme heatwave this Tuesday, accompanied by violent wildfires that have already resulted in one death and caused significant material damage, particularly at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Las Médulas in Spain.
Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the president of the Community of Madrid, announced on social media platform X that a man had died from severe burns sustained in the fire in Tres Cantos, near the capital. Authorities reported that the victim had burns covering almost his entire body. In addition, hundreds of residents have been evacuated from the area, with one individual complaining of chest pains.
The intensity of the heatwave has prompted meteorological services to issue red alerts, while the Spanish Ministry of the Interior has initiated a "pre-emergency phase" in response to the increasing number of fire outbreaks across the country. According to national meteorological authorities, temperatures are expected to rise further in the coming days.
In the region of Castile and León, home to the historic site of Las Médulas—ancient Roman gold mines designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997—fires have become rampant. Local authorities reported 32 simultaneous wildfires, complicating efforts to combat the flames, which are devastating centuries-old trees in the area and have caused four minor injuries.
"It will take years for the landscape to regenerate," said Alfonso Fernández, the mayor of nearby Carucedo, in an interview with Cadena Ser radio.
Further south, in Andalusia, the beaches of Tarifa have once again been urgently evacuated as flames spread from the surrounding forests, forcing thousands of tourists to flee.
In Portugal, three major wildfires were ongoing on Tuesday. The most concerning one, near Trancoso in the center of the country, has mobilized over 650 firefighters. Six individuals, including three firefighters, have sustained minor injuries, though the situation is reportedly improving, according to the Lusa agency.
These fires, fueled by exceptional heat and strong winds, once again highlight the increasing vulnerability of the region to the effects of climate change.
