Fires rage across southern Europe

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Fires rage across southern Europe

 

 

High temperatures, strong winds and a lack of rainfall mean parts of Europe are battling widespread wildfires.

 

The worst are in southern France, northwestern Spain as well as Portugal and on the island of Madeira.

 

At least four people have died and hundreds have needed medical treatment.

 

Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes.

 

France

 

Thousands of firefighters are battling the worst wildfire for twenty years in southern France.

 

Many residents have been forced from their homes in towns near the Mediterranean city of Marseille.

 

Portugal

 

There have been more than 100 fires in Portugal, the worst of them on the Atlantic island of Madeira.

 

Three elderly people have died in a wildfire that has swept Madeira’s main city, Funchal.

 

The head of the regional government says the three victims died in their homes in the early hours of Wednesday.

More than 300 needed treatment for smoke inhalation and minor burns.

 

At least 37 houses and a five-star hotel have burned to the ground.

 

Two people have been arrested.

 

Spain

 

Fires are continuing to rage in northwestern Spain.

 

Nine separate forest fires have been reported in Galicia.

 

Three of them are threatening houses in the northern part of the region.

 

Some residents have been evacuated from their homes.

 

Quick facts

• 6,000 hectares of land have been destroyed
• “Situation 2” risk to inhabited areas maintained for towns of Arbo, Crecente y Porto Do Son
• Cause of fire is unknown

 

 

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