By Elsie Kamsiyochi
Firefighters in Spain’s southeastern province of Almería have intensified their efforts to bring one of the country’s deadliest wildfires in recent years under control, shifting from defensive operations to a direct attack on the massive blaze after battling through a devastating first day.
The wildfire, which erupted near the forested area of Bédar on Friday, has claimed the lives of at least 12 people and forced more than 1,400 residents to flee their homes. Strong winds fueled the flames, causing the fire to spread at an extraordinary pace and leaving many victims with little time to escape. Authorities said the blaze raced across approximately 15 kilometres in just two hours, turning roads into deadly traps and engulfing vehicles as people attempted to flee.
Antonio Sanz, the head of emergency services for Spain’s Andalusia region, said firefighting teams had spent the initial stages of the disaster preventing the flames from advancing toward densely populated coastal communities. With those efforts proving successful, crews are now able to begin an aggressive offensive aimed at containing and eventually extinguishing the fire.
“So far our work has focused on defending communities and stopping the fire’s advance,” Sanz told reporters. “Today marks the first opportunity to actively attack the fire.”
Although the wildfire remains highly dangerous and continues to advance in some areas, emergency officials said overnight conditions were more favorable than expected. Fire activity eased slightly, and firefighters managed to prevent any new direct threats to populated communities.
More than 500 firefighters, emergency personnel, soldiers and specialized wildfire crews have been deployed to the disaster zone. Aircraft continue to drop water over the burning mountains while ground teams concentrate their efforts on the western flank of the blaze, where flames remain most intense and continue spreading rapidly.
The wildfire has already scorched around 6,600 hectares of land, destroying forests, vegetation and surrounding countryside. Several villages around Bédar and Los Gallardos remain under evacuation orders as authorities closely monitor changing weather conditions and the fire’s movement.
Meanwhile, forensic investigators continue the difficult process of identifying the victims. Autopsies have been completed on all 12 bodies recovered near the fire zone, but officials say the victims were so badly burned that identification cannot yet be confirmed.
The Institute of Forensic Medicine in Almería said DNA samples have been sent to Madrid, where specialists will compare them with genetic samples provided by relatives. Until those tests are complete, authorities are unable to confirm the identities, ages or genders of those who died.
Officials believe most of the victims are British and Belgian nationals, along with one Spanish citizen. Eight additional people suffered injuries during the disaster, including four who remain in critical condition at hospitals in Seville.
Authorities have also sought to calm fears that the death toll could rise dramatically. While numerous people were initially believed to be missing during the chaos, officials said only seven individuals have been formally reported missing by their families, significantly fewer than the larger unofficial estimates circulated on Friday.
Residents who witnessed the fire described scenes of panic as flames spread with incredible speed.
Víctor Manuel Fernández, the parish priest serving Bédar and Los Gallardos, recalled leaving a church service only to find the landscape transformed into an inferno.
“When I went to celebrate Mass, the smoke was visible but seemed far away,” he said. “I believed firefighters would quickly control it, as they usually do. But when we came outside after the service, the mountains were covered with thick black smoke, and the flames were devouring everything. It happened within minutes.”
Spain has endured increasingly destructive wildfire seasons in recent years as prolonged drought, extreme summer temperatures and strong winds create ideal conditions for fast-moving fires. Emergency officials continue to urge residents to obey evacuation orders while firefighters work around the clock to contain the Almería blaze and prevent further loss of life.
Source Reuters
Original article
Comments