Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia Visit Wildfire Evacuation Centre Near Madrid

MADRID: Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia visited an evacuation centre near Madrid on Sunday to express solidarity with residents displaced by devastating wildfires that have swept across central Spain, forcing tens of thousands of people from their homes.

The royal couple met evacuees, emergency responders and local officials at the shelter in Villamanta, where they listened to accounts from families affected by the fires and thanked firefighters and volunteers for their efforts in responding to one of the country’s worst wildfire emergencies.

The visit came as Spain continued battling widespread blazes that have scorched tens of thousands of hectares of land around Madrid and neighbouring regions. Authorities have declared a national emergency, with nearly 90,000 people evacuated in central Spain amid extreme heat, strong winds and dry conditions that have fueled the rapid spread of the fires.

Many displaced residents described fleeing their homes with little warning, leaving behind personal belongings as flames approached their communities. Emergency shelters have been providing temporary accommodation, food and essential supplies while authorities assess the extent of the damage.

Spanish officials have pledged continued support for affected communities as firefighters, military emergency units and international assistance remain deployed to contain the blazes. Authorities have warned that high temperatures and adverse weather conditions could continue to hamper firefighting efforts in the coming days.