- Title: Spain's wildfire forces thousands to flee home
- Date: 12th September 2021
- Summary: RONDA, SPAIN (SEPTEMBER 12, 2021) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF RED CROSS WORKERS AND VOLUNTEERS CARRYING DRINKS AND FOOD FOR EVACUEES AMBULANCE WITH EVACUEES ARRIVING AT SPORTS CENTRE EVACUEE HUGGING MAN VARIOUS OF EVACUEES AT SPORTS CENTRE FRUITS AND DRINKS FOR EVACUEES EVACUEE AT SPORTS CENTRE BEDS SET AT SPORTS CENTRE VARIOUS OF EVACUEES AT SPORTS CENTRE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) EVACUEE BENITO MENA, 70, SAYING: “It was very quick, they rushed us out, I came with my clothes on and left everything there, even the animals, a dog and some cats, I don't think anything will happen to them. I thought it was never going to happen, but there was such a big cloud over the village that it was scary.†(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) EVACUEE ADRIANA IACOB SAYING: “This is inhuman, nothing like this has ever been seen, the flames of the fire as they ran through the mountains, it was amazing.†(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MAYOR OF RONDA MARIPAZ FERNANDEZ, 46, SAYING: “With much shock, first because of the tragedy that is happening around us. And secondly, there has been an immense wave of solidarity from all the towns in the region to help these people who have left their homes so quickly.†VARIOUS OF EVACUEES AT SPORTS CENTRE FOOD AND SUPPLIES PILED AT SPORTS CENTRE, MAN PASSING BY HEALTH WORKERS TALKING RED CROSS MEMBERS AT SPORTS CENTRE EVACUEE
- Embargoed: 26th September 2021 20:40
- Keywords: Andalusia Ronda Spain evacuees fire solidarity wildfire
- Location: RONDA, SPAIN
- City: RONDA, SPAIN
- Country: Spain
- Topics: Disaster/Accidents,Europe,Wildfires/Forest Fires
- Reuters ID: LVA001EUEZ5FR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: People fled their homes in six more Andalusian towns and villages on Sunday (September 12) as Spain sent in a military unit to help tackle blazes raging close to a Costa del Sol resort.
A wildfire fanned by strong winds has now driven out close to 2,000 people and killed one emergency worker since it erupted on Wednesday in the mountainous Sierra Bermeja above Estepona, a popular spot with British tourists and retirees.
Huge plumes of smoke rising above the mountains could be seen from miles away. Footage released by emergency services showed firefighters trying to contain flames in the dry, wooded terrain.
Evacuees, some elderly, sat around plastic tables in a sports center in the nearby town of Ronda, as volunteers brought in bottled water, chairs and supplies.
Emergency crews also cleared people from the towns and villages of Jubrique, Farajan, Pujerra, Alpandeire and Juzcar on Sunday in the hills where the fire is burning amid high late-summer temperatures.
Five other communities were evacuated on Friday.
The fire had an "unusual power and strength" and was advancing in several directions, Alejandro Garcia from the forest fire agency's operational center told reporters.
The fire covered more than 6,000 hectares according to provisional data from the European Commission's Copernicus satellite, the environment ministry said in a statement.
(Production:Mariano Valladolid, Jon Nazca, Elena Rodriguez) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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