The fire, which has burnt over 26.500 hectares in Huelva and Sevilla, is now under control. Regional president Chaves has promised a minimum of 700.000 euros in aid for the affected areas.
Two dead in forest fire which began on Tuesday and is still active (29-7-04)
Two people died in a forest fire in Minas de Río Tinto (Huelva) yesterday. The victims were in their car when the blaze caught them unawares. The town of Berrocal, with 400 inhabitants, three small villages and a group of swimmers in a nearby pool had to be evacuated.
The fire began on Tuesday and is still active. It has already burned 14.000 hectares, and has now spread to Sevilla province. A large-scale operation is in place to try to extinguish the flames.
Update (14.50 hrs): This is officially the largest forest fire in Andalucía for the last 14 years and the third most serious in Spain for the last 20 years. National Environment minister Cristina Narbona and regional president Manuel Chaves are currently in Castillo de Las Guardas (Sevilla) to ascertain the damage.
