The European Union has sent firefighting planes to Spain to combat wildfires, as the death toll rises to three.
Two volunteer firefighters have now died in Spain’s northern region of León, with another fatality near Madrid earlier this week. Wildfires have also burned in France, Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Albania in recent days.
“We are struck once again by the death of a second volunteer who has lost their life in León," said Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. "All our love and support go out to their family and friends during this unbearable time.”
At least 3,700 people have been evacuated from regions around León. Another fire in neighbouring Galicia has burned around than 3,000 hectares of land, while fires near Madrid have burned about 1,000 hectares.
Seven people have died in Spain due to wildfires this year.
The E.U. has sent two water-bombing Canadair planes to Galicia, under its civil protection disaster coordination measures. Greece will also receive two helicopters to battle its wildfires.
The E.U.’s civil protection agency has so far sent aid to its member nations 16 times during this year’s wildfire season.
Around 1,000 military personnel have been deployed in Spain to combat these fires, the country’s government said.
Spain’s Interior Ministry said this week it had arrested two people for allegedly starting a series of forest fires in Galicia earlier this year, and another for allegedly starting fires in Málaga in July and August.
The country’s police have arrested 10 people on charges of deliberately setting forest fires since 1 June, and are investigating a further 38.
Related content
