Wildfires in France and Spain force evacuations, disrupt transport, kill at least 13

Wildfires near Paris scorched over 800 hectares and a blaze in southern Spain killed at least 13 people, including British nationals.

• A wildfire in Fontainebleau forest southeast of Paris scorched more than 800 hectares, forcing 15 home evacuations and disrupting train lines and the A6 motorway.
• French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said the blaze may have been deliberately set, citing about 10 ignition points within a 1,000-metre perimeter.
• A wildfire in Spain’s Almeria province killed at least 13 people, including five believed by authorities to be British, and burned about 7,000 hectares.
• British resident Emma Mitchell, whose home survived the Spanish fire, called on authorities to stop victim-blaming and to issue better emergency alerts.

Latest developments

In a follow-up on the Almeria wildfire, local authorities now report 23 people remain missing and the suspected cause is a fallen power line, though electricity companies have denied responsibility. Rescuers also extracted a badly burned British couple from a ravine near the village of Bédar; they were semi-conscious and believed to have been hiking when caught by the blaze. Both are in intensive care with 40% burns.

• The Fontainebleau wildfire has burned over 1,300 hectares, up from 800 hectares earlier.
• French authorities arrested two suspects, including an 18-year-old, on suspicion of arson.
• Around 1,000 people have been evacuated as the fire continues to spread.