Madrid Fire: 'Worst in History' for the Spanish Capital

Around 20,000 people were evacuated or trapped in their homes in the Madrid region on Friday due to what officials described as the “worst fire in the history” of the Spanish capital’s region, which has so far consumed 6,000 hectares, according to Madrid regional governor Isabel Díaz Ayuso.

Ayuso said during a press conference that “the situation represents a disaster for a region with such high population and urban density. It is a disaster,” adding, “We have never faced a similar situation before.”

As the Spanish government declared a national state of emergency, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated on the X platform: “We are facing an extremely serious situation, not only in several regions of Spain but also in neighboring countries.”

He added, “I express my solidarity with all those affected and with everyone who has been forced to leave their homes.”