Extreme weather in Europe

Deadly fire in Spain begins to be fought

Favourable weather with less wind and higher humidity has facilitated the extinguishing work in the Spanish Los Gallardos, reports AFP.

For the first time since the fire broke out on Thursday, firefighters have been able to access the flames directly.

– An opportunity arose this morning. For the first time, we can start thinking about stabilizing the fire, Andalusia's emergency preparedness director Antonio Sanz told local television.

More than 6,000 hectares have burned, mostly in mountainous, inaccessible terrain. A total of twelve people have died. Five are seriously injured, one of whom is life-threatening, and seven are missing. 

British couple found in ravine – badly burned

A British couple was found in a ravine after the deadly forest fire in Bédar, Spain, reports Reuters.

Early on Friday morning, rescue workers were searching the scorched landscape when they heard a noise in the distance.

After climbing down a mountainside, they found the couple. Both were semi-conscious and had severe burns over 40 percent of their bodies.

– Managing to call out to us in the condition they were in required an enormous effort. We will never forget the surprised and emotional expressions on their faces, says rescue worker Rafael Zea.

The couple is believed to have been out hiking when they were surprised by the flames. 

40 degrees at school for British students: “Cried for mom”

During the heatwaves, British students have been forced to have lessons in extremely hot classrooms, where the temperature sometimes reached over 40 degrees, reports The Guardian. Teachers tell the newspaper that both students and staff have suffered from heatstroke, nausea, headaches and fainting during the hottest days.

“The adults could barely cope, and many of the children were calling for their mothers and fathers. There was no teaching – we just tried to get through the day as best we could,” says a primary school teacher.

Most schools in the UK lack air conditioning and are not adapted to a warmer climate. Teaching has therefore largely had to give way to the work of keeping students cool. Teachers have, among other things, sought out shady areas, used wet towels and placed foot baths under students’ desks.

Now unions and climate organizations are demanding a national plan to climate adapt the country's schools.