Key facts
- A wildfire in Los Gallardos, Spain, resulted in 13 deaths and nearly 7,000 hectares burned.
- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called for enhanced wildfire prevention measures.
- The fire, suspected to have started from a broken power line, was stabilized after four days.
- Climate change was cited as a factor increasing the frequency and intensity of such emergencies.
- Regional leader Juanma Moreno emphasized the importance of public awareness and self-protection.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has urged the country to bolster its wildfire prevention strategies following a devastating blaze in Los Gallardos that claimed 13 lives and destroyed nearly 7,000 hectares of land. The fire, which has now been stabilized after four days of intensive efforts, also left 23 people unaccounted for.
Speaking during a visit to the southern municipality of Turre, Sánchez emphasized the need to move beyond reactive measures, stating that climate change is making civil protection emergencies increasingly frequent and severe. He highlighted the importance of better protecting municipalities and implementing training courses for young people on emergency response.
Juanma Moreno, the leader of Andalusia's regional government, echoed these sentiments, stressing the crucial role of public awareness and self-protection. He noted that citizens can play a vital part by responding quickly to smoke sightings, identifying suspicious behavior of potential arsonists, and heeding official warnings.
The wildfire spread rapidly, reaching up to 100 meters per minute at its peak, trapping some individuals who were attempting to flee. Authorities are investigating the cause, with a broken power line suspected of igniting dry vegetation during a period of high temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius.
Hundreds of firefighters, supported by numerous fire engines, helicopters, water-bombing planes, and UME units, worked to contain the blaze. Efforts have shifted to cooling hot spots and continuing the search for missing persons. The identification process is ongoing, with assistance from British, Belgian, and French authorities providing genetic profiles from relatives.
Scientists attribute the increasing likelihood and intensity of extreme weather events like heatwaves, which fuel wildfires, to human-caused climate change driven by fossil fuel consumption. Last year, Spain recorded its highest figure for wildfire destruction, with nearly 400,000 hectares lost, according to the European Forest Fire Information System.