Numerous train passengers injured in forest fires in Spain

Numerous passengers on a regional train in the Bejís area were injured in devastating forest fires in the Spanish holiday region of Valencia. Two firefighters were also injured in the area, Spanish media reported on Wednesday, citing the authorities.

This and another large forest fire further south in the Vall d’Ebo region have already destroyed more than 20,000 hectares of forest and bush land. 2,000 people had to be brought to safety. The firefighters were hoping for rain, which could possibly happen on Thursday night.

The incident with the train happened on Tuesday when it had to stop its journey around 60 kilometers northwest of Valencia to return to the starting station because of heavy smoke, radio station Cadena Ser and state TV station RTVE reported.

Some passengers jumped out of the carriages in panic during the brief stop, during which the train driver ran from one end of the train to the other. Eight passengers were taken to the hospital, some with severe burns and other injuries.

The flames in the Bejís region had destroyed 9,700 hectares of forest by Wednesday afternoon, explained Valencia’s Prime Minister Ximo Puig.

Further south, in the Vall d’Ebo region, one of the most devastating forest fires in the past decade continued to rage in the autonomous community of Valencia. The fire that broke out on Saturday had already destroyed 11,500 hectares of forest there, the state TV broadcaster RTVE reported on Wednesday, citing fire department spokesmen.

It was not initially announced whether tourists were also taken to safety. The fire raged less than 50 kilometers from beach resorts on the Costa Blanca, which are also popular with German tourists, such as Jávea and Dénia.

The columns of smoke could be seen from afar, the ash clouds also reached the Mediterranean island of Mallorca, almost 300 kilometers away.

In combination with a drought that has lasted for months, great heat and very dry air, forest fires have been occurring again and again since June. 2022 is the most devastating forest fire year for Spain since records began.