More than 170 soldiers have been deployed to evacuate a holiday hotspot after a wildfire with 65ft flames engulfed two villages in south-eastern Spain. Almost 200 people have been evacuated as the fire ripped through the Murcia region, a short drive from the Costa Blanca near Benidorm and Alicante.
The alarm was raised at 3pm yesterday by hikers on the Cresta Del Gallo mountain ridge, who spotted fires erupting at a nearby national park. The flames spread rapidly, prompting over 200 calls to emergency services. Footage shows terrified tourists and locals fleeing the towering inferno.
Over 300 firefighters, emergency services personnel, and soldiers were deployed to tackle the blaze, supported by planes and helicopters. The fire has burned over 270 hectares of land, and one person has been treated for burns. Emergency services revealed that initial hypotheses suggest the fire may have been intentionally set by an arsonist.
Murcia mayor Rebeca Perez said emergency services worked tirelessly overnight without rest. “To all the residents of Los Garres and the affected areas, we want to convey our affection and support after a particularly difficult day,” she said. As of Wednesday morning, the fire is without active flames, with only hot spots remaining that pose no risk.
