6,000 Flee Spanish Inferno: Europe's Heat Crisis Deepens

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez offered condolences to the victim’s family and praised emergency crews for their “tireless efforts,” warning that “the risk of extreme wildfires remains — be extremely cautious.”

The crisis extends beyond Spain. In Portugal, hundreds of firefighters are battling three major blazes, with Morocco sending two firefighting planes to replace grounded Portuguese aircraft. In Italy, where Florence hit 40°C (104°F), a four-year-old boy died of heatstroke after being found unconscious in a car in Sardinia. Authorities issued red heat alerts for seven major cities.

In the Balkans, dozens were evacuated in Albania, Montenegro, and Croatia. Albania saw nearly 40 fires break out in the past 24 hours; over 20 arrests have been made on arson suspicions. In Montenegro, firefighters saved dozens of homes near the capital, while in Croatia, 150 firefighters worked through the night to protect properties near the port of Split.

In Turkey’s Çanakkale province, more than 2,000 people were evacuated and 77 treated for smoke inhalation as fires spread near the tourist village of Guzelyali. July was Turkey’s hottest month in 55 years.

Southern France also smashed heat records at four weather stations, including Bordeaux at 41.6°C (106.9°F). The summer’s second major heatwave began Friday and is expected to last until August 19–20. Twelve departments are on the highest red alert, with four more expected to join.