In Lleida, a tragic wildfire has resulted in the deaths of two individuals. The victims, a thirty-two-year-old farmer and a farm worker, were found near their abandoned vehicle while attempting to escape the flames. Local officials confirmed the fire, the first major wildfire of the year in Spain, has burnt around six thousand five hundred hectares.

The fire’s rapid spread forced the evacuation of nearly fourteen thousand residents from multiple municipalities, leading to a state of emergency. As firefighters work to contain the blaze, temperatures in central Lleida have soared to extreme levels, raising concerns about additional risks.

Catalonia’s President, Salvador Illa, conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims and highlighted the unprecedented danger of this wildfire. He described it as a sixth-generation fire that alters its surrounding weather and behaves erratically, posing significant challenges for emergency services.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez remarked on the incident, expressing his solidarity with those affected and commending emergency workers. He urged the public to exercise extreme caution during this high-risk period. Firefighters are currently stabilising the area and monitoring it closely to prevent further outbreaks as high temperatures persist.