Firefighters brace for ‘worst day’ of heatwave as wildfire controlling attempts continue
The southern Catalonia blaze no longer has powerful active fronts but remains burning
fire
Firefighters battle uncontrolled blaze in adverse weather conditions
Interior minister says efforts are going ‘well,’ while people remain kept away from their homes
Southern Catalonia wildfire expected to be one of worst in 20 years
More than 5,500 hectares already burning in Tarragona region with up to 20,000 at risk
Wildfire in southern Catalonia forces a number of home evacuations
Roads close to the fire affecting 2,500 hectares have been forced to close
Wildfire in southern Catalonia forces a number of home evacuations
Roads close to the fire affecting more than 500 hectares have been forced to close
Fire in l’Hospitalet apartment building kills three
A woman, a three-year-old child, and a baby are the victims
Fire in Barcelona port as ship crashes with crane
Four containers damaged but no injuries, wind and severe sea said to be cause of incident
Forest fires still a threat 20 years after Central Catalonia burnt
On the anniversary of the 1998 fire that destroyed 24,000 hectares, experts warn that the risk remains high
Technology key at logistics trade shows in Barcelona
The International Logistics Expo and eDelivery fairs kick off in Barcelona, showcasing latest products in sector
Area burnt by wildfires in Barcelona doubles in a year
Risk of forest blazes is “much higher” due to high temperatures, lack of rain, and heat waves caused by climate change
Surprise concert by Arcade Fire at Primavera Sound
The Canadians will play again on Saturday night after their unexpected performance on a small stage on the first day of the festival
Government may fine Gas Natural over death of old woman allegedly due to energy poverty
The Catalan Government may sanction the energy company Gas Natural Fenosa over the death of an 81-year-old woman, who died on Sunday night in a fire at her home in Reus. All evidence points to the victim, whose energy supply was cut off two months ago, being affected by energy poverty and illuminating the flat with candles. Indeed, the candles appear to be the cause of the fire that burned the mattress where she slept, according to the investigation carried out by the Catalan police, Mossos d’Esquadra. Municipal sources explained in a press conference this Tuesday that the Social Services of the City Hall were not aware of the woman’s lack of electricity due to a non-payment, as they didn’t receive any request for financial assistance, nor a notification from the supplier. Gas Natural now has a period of five days to respond and prove that it fulfilled the established protocols, otherwise the Catalan Government will fine the company.
86 wildfires hit Catalonia simultaneously
The Catalan government has set the maximum alert level for forest fires’ risk in 30 regions, most of them in central Catalonia, due to the high temperatures registered in the last few days, which exceeded 40 degrees in some areas. On Tuesday alone, 86 wild fires hit different regions of Catalonia simultaneously. However, the most important one occurred this Tuesday in Vallbona de les Monges, a small village 40 kilometres west from the city of Lleida. In less than 5 hours, the fire burned nearly 900 hectares, most of them cereal crops. The firefighters sent 55 land resources and 3 aerial’s, which achieved to stabilise the fire by Wednesday morning. However, they continue to water the perimeter to prevent the fire from reviving.
‘Patum’: the beat of a local festival with international status
‘Patum’ is a popular festival celebrated every year during Corpus Christi in the Catalan city of Berga. In this town, the earliest reference to this festival dates from 1454 although the celebration has its origins in pre-Christian festivities. During five days, the streets of Berga are transformed into a massive stage. The ‘Patum’ festival, which was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, comprises several parts and is a mixture of sound, fire and parades of allegorical and traditional figures such as ‘Guites’ (mule dragons), the Eagle and giant-headed dwarves. All the figures join to perform the final dance, the Tirabol. This years’ ‘Patum’ will take place from the 25th to the 28th of May.
Fire in abandoned station left Barcelona without trains throughout the morning
The short-distance train network has been interrupted this morning in the centre of Barcelona due to a fire in an abandoned station in the centre of the Catalan capital. Although the fire was extinguished by 7 am CET this Tuesday, the smoke continued to spread throughout the city’s train tunnels for hours, affecting six stations, more than 210 trains, metro line 1 and nearly 100,000 passengers, according to the Catalan Government. An accumulation of waste in the abandoned station is most likely to have been the cause of the fire. Today’s chaos is to be added to a long list of problems which have occurred on the network during the last decade, mainly due to a lack of investment in infrastructure by the Spanish Government.