Spain battles deadly forest fire, 11 dead
By Victor FraileSANTA MARIA DEL ESPINO, Spain (Reuters) - Police discovered the blackened corpses of 11 firefighters on Monday who died after being trapped by a forest fire in central Spain, officials said.
They were found beside the charred chassis of their four-by-four vehicles, after a sudden change in the wind direction on Sunday left their patrol encircled by flames.
 |
A forest fire rages near the Spanish town of Santa Maria del Espino near Guadalajara July 17, 2005. Police discovered the blackened corpses of 11 firefighters on Monday who died after being trapped by a forest fire in central Spain, officials said. (REUTERS/Victor Fraile) |
Environment Minister Cristina Narbona told state radio some 8,000 hectares had been burned by Monday. A brigade of paratroopers and nine firefighting planes had been sent to tackle the blaze, including some from neighbouring France.
Parched by a heat wave and the worst drought since the 1940s, much of Spain is a tinder box and fierce fires are burning in several regions.
Spain's Socialist government called an emergency ministerial meeting on Monday to discuss how to halt the fire, which was still burning on two fronts.
"We are more optimistic than yesterday because fortunately the wind has dropped," said Jose Maria Barreda, head of the regional government of Castilla-La Mancha.
"The western flank has been practically controlled and the most problematic area is near the town of Selas in the southeast," he said.
Forensic experts arrived on the scorched hillside outside the village of Santa Maria del Espino to recover the bodies of the 11 fire fighters, men and women in their 20s.
The bodies were placed on white sheets, waiting for a helicopter to transport them for identification.
Authorities had earlier suggested 12 people were killed.
At the weekend, strong winds drove the blaze through resinous pines and flames leaped up to 40 metres high, witnesses said. About 500 people were evacuated from four villages.
Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega, who rushed to the scene, was booed by local people demanding more resources to fight the fire.
About 150 fire fighters tackled the blaze on Sunday on the ground and from the air. As night fell, they were cutting fire breaks to try to halt the advance of the blaze.
The government says Spain has around 20,000 forest fires a year, 90 percent started by people. In Zamora province, also in central Spain, a fire that consumed 1,200 hectares was brought under control on Sunday.
Copyright © 2008 Reuters
News Poll
- Grand opening for 20-storey pavilion at temple
- Student on molest charge can continue studies in Wales
- Cops record statement from doctor
- Prancing Horses at Selangor’s Istana Alam Shah
- IJN is not for sale — ever, says Liow
- Malaysia recalls its UN envoy over Iran nuclear voting
- State abuzz over Sulaiman's quit decision
- Ahmad Said: I’m not quitting because of pressure
- PM: I was told of MACC head’s intention earlier
- No reason for a Cabinet reshuffle, says PM
- Grand opening for 20-storey pavilion at temple
- Malaysia recalls its UN envoy over Iran nuclear voting
- Student on molest charge can continue studies in Wales
- KLPac artistic director honoured with Order of Australia award
- Ahmad Said: I’m not quitting because of pressure
- No reason for a Cabinet reshuffle, says PM
- Chicken of the sea? Tuna farming getting a boost
- Armed to fight piracy
- Picnic in Perak turns tragic for sisters
- Waiter’s winning ways
RSS
