Wildfires rage across Spain, rescue, evacuation operations underway

Wildfires have continued to ravage Spain, particularly its central regions, in recent days, as rescue operations have entered full swing.

The Madrid region, and provinces of Avila and Toledo in central Spain have been the hardest-hit areas, with nearly 100,000 people evacuated or ordered to remain indoors across 46 municipalities.

The blaze in Avila became the largest on record in the country's history after burning around 50,000 hectares, according to the Spanish news agency EFE on Sunday.

Because multiple fire points were close to one another, the blazes quickly merged under persistent high temperatures and shifting winds, forming a massive fireground spanning Madrid, Avila and Toledo.

More than a dozen municipalities in Madrid were forced to undergo full evacuations.

"My daughter, my husband and I spent the night in the car. We thought we could go home in the morning, but we're still being told the roads are blocked and we can't get through," said Soraya, an affected resident.

At a temporary shelter set up at a local basketball court, staff said rapid fire spread forced them to hurriedly complete preparations while simultaneously settling residents, leaving traumatized evacuees in urgent need of professional psychological counseling.

"Almost everyone who arrives here is emotionally overwhelmed because they have no idea about the condition of their homes, their belongings or their livestock. We can only do our best to comfort them," said Cristina, the shelter's manager.

Thousands of firefighters, supported by Spain's Military Emergency Unit (UME), firefighting aircraft and helicopters, continued battling the blazes on Sunday.

Weather conditions eased to some extent on Sunday. According to a spokesperson for Guardia Civil, air humidity increased and a temporary improvement in wind direction offered a valuable window for firefighting efforts.

However, the battle against the blaze still faces severe challenges, as the overall fire situation remains unstable.

"The fire situation is gradually improving. As conditions get better, we will adjust our deployment and allow residents to return home in phases. But this process must be carried out in an orderly and phased manner. Due to the terrain and extensive forest vegetation, fully extinguishing the fires remains extremely difficult," said Mercedes, a spokesperson for Guardia Civil.

According to Spain's Ministry for the Ecological Transition, wildfires had burned a total of 172,453 hectares nationwide as of Friday.

Wildfires rage across Spain, rescue, evacuation operations underway

China’s summer tourism boom is drawing overseas visitors in record numbers, with travelers flocking to provinces from Xizang’s glacier landscapes to Shaanxi’s Terracotta Warriors and Dunhuang’s desert heritage.

In the first half of 2026, more than 22 million foreign nationals entered China, up 20.4 percent year on year, with about three-quarters of them benefiting from visa-free policies.

European nations have emerged as a major source of travelers, accounting for 30 percent of the top 20 international source countries. Travel bookings from Europe surged 275 percent compared with the same period last year. Western European countries, including Britain, France and Germany, make up nearly 42 percent of European arrivals, with bookings from these markets rising by almost 150 percent year on year.

During a recent field visit, ambassadors to China highlighted the country’s summer tourism boom, sharing firsthand impressions of diverse provinces and the hospitality that is drawing more overseas visitors.

"I would encourage visitors to visit as many provinces as they can to get to know different aspects of China. But if I may say so, one thing that all the provinces that I have visited have in common is the hospitality," said Koula Sophianou, Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to China.

"Every province is totally different from another one. I believe that all tourists can find places that they are interested in. From the beautiful landscapes, for example, in Xizang, that region that is very famous for its glaciers, to the seaside. For the tourists that are more interested in Chinese history and culture, Shaanxi Province and Xi'an [are home to the] Terracotta Warriors. And there is also beautiful Dunhuang in the northern part of China," said Maja Stefanovic, Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to China.

Beyond scenic attractions, Shenzhen’s Huaqiang Electronics World — one of the world’s largest electronics trading hubs — is drawing a rising number of overseas tourists seeking anti‑heat products. Merchants are rolling out customized items to meet the needs of buyers from different countries.

"These fans can spray mist and deliver extra cooling. This one comes with an ice-making function. Foreign buyers usually pick up 10 to 20 pieces. Some are for personal use, and the rest as gifts for friends," said merchant Chen Shuiping.

China’s summer tourism boom draws record overseas visitors