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Spain wildfire kills at least 12 people, 23 others missing : NPR
NPR • • general
Key Points:
- A deadly wildfire in Spain's Almeria province killed 12 people overnight, with several victims found inside burnt vehicles while trying to escape the flames; 8 were injured and 23 remain unaccounted for.
- The fire consumed over 3,200 hectares of forest and farmland, with about 150 firefighters and 220 military personnel battling the blaze; four British nationals and other foreigners are among the deceased.
- Authorities believe the fire was sparked by a fallen power line and spread rapidly, with many victims dying while fleeing on foot or by car, ignoring shelter-in-place orders.
- Spain and much of Europe are experiencing intense heat waves, exacerbated by climate change, which increase wildfire risks; recent heat waves have caused record temperatures and excess deaths in the region.
- Spain has a history of severe wildfires, including a 2017 blaze in Portugal that killed 66 people, many while attempting to escape by car, highlighting the dangers of fast-moving fires during extreme heat.
