Spain

All the latest on Spain: articles, analysis and ongoing coverage from Lost in the Jungle.

World

Wildfires across Europe: evacuations, deaths and thousands of hectares burned

Multiple wildfires are mobilizing emergency services across Europe, with evacuations, injuries and three deaths reported in Spain and Greece. According to Le Temps, hundreds of firefighters are battling several fires in northern Portugal, where five have been injured. Approximately 3,000 hectares have burned in the High Fens, between Belgium and Germany. Residents have also been evacuated in France, Croatia and on Greek islands.

17 August 2026 at 04:40

World

Week in pictures: eclipse in Spain, earthquake in Colombia and violence in occupied West Bank

A total solar eclipse in Spain, a deadly earthquake in Colombia and violence in occupied West Bank marked this week in pictures. In Cali, the death toll reached at least 300 victims with hundreds missing. The selection also shows monsoon rains in the Philippines, a fire in California and low Rhine levels in Germany. It also features scenes of sport, nature and daily life.

16 August 2026 at 12:34

Climate

Spain: Two Women Killed in Flooding and Landslide in Northwest

A flooding event and landslide have killed two women in Manzanedo de Valdueza in northwest Spain on Saturday, August 15, 2026, according to France 24. The victims were approximately 60 and 80 years old. Two infants received medical treatment for bruising, and a man over 80 who was initially reported missing has been found safe. According to Ponferrada's mayor Marco Morala, violent mountain storms triggered a powerful surge of rocks, mud, and silt. The mudslide also caused damage in the nearby village of Bouzas. The disaster occurred following weeks of extreme heat, drought, and devastating forest fires across Spain.

16 August 2026 at 05:56

World

Granada Shaken by Magnitude 5 Earthquake, No Casualties

A rare magnitude 5 earthquake shook Granada shortly after 1 a.m., with no reported casualties, according to information published by Le Monde. The epicenter was located in Alhendín, approximately 10 kilometers south of the city. On the same day, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake killed 20 people off the coast of Flores in eastern Indonesia.

15 August 2026 at 11:03

Climate

United Kingdom: 38.1°C at Kew Gardens, Hottest Day of 2026 During Fifth European Heat Wave

The United Kingdom recorded its hottest day of 2026 on August 13, with a provisional temperature of 38.1°C at Kew Gardens (west London), surpassing the previous annual record of 38°C set on June 28. Europe is gripped by its fifth summer heat wave, trapped under a 'heat dome'—a persistent anticyclone that locks hot air in the troposphere, bringing temperatures close to 40°C across the continent. Bordeaux and Nantes in France reached 38°C; peaks to 41°C were expected by afternoon. England faces an extreme heat alert through August 14, 9 p.m. Romania shut down its only nuclear plant due to historically low Danube water levels.

13 August 2026 at 16:41

World

Ceuta crossings prompt Italy and Spain to tighten border checks

More than 70,000 people crossed the border between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in early August 2026, according to The Guardian. Rome responded by reinstating air and sea border checks with Spain for one month, while Madrid introduced spot checks for travellers heading to Italy. Viral videos suggesting that Spain’s border with Morocco had opened reportedly triggered the crossings. Accounts linked to the Russian military amplified claims of an “assault” or “invasion”. Separately, several feature-length political documentaries are scheduled for the Venice Film Festival, which opens on September 2, 2026.

12 August 2026 at 16:04

World

Total solar eclipse crosses Spain for the first time in more than 100 years

A total solar eclipse crosses Spain on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, within a band stretching from A Coruña to Palma. It is the first such event in the country in more than 100 years. The eclipse runs from 7:30 p.m. until shortly before 9:30 p.m., with totality lasting under two minutes. Spain’s traffic authority expects up to 1.5 million additional journeys and prohibits stopping on roads or shoulders. Seven eclipse-glasses models have been recalled over possible eye injuries, while nearly 500 official viewing points are available nationwide.

12 August 2026 at 11:55

World

Spain warns solar eclipse crowds could raise wildfire risk on Wednesday

Spain is preparing for a heightened wildfire risk on Wednesday as hundreds of thousands of people head to hills and beaches to watch the total solar eclipse. Police expect about 1.5 million additional car journeys, while 460,000 foreign visitors are forecast to travel specifically for the event. Vegetation is extremely dry after persistent heat and low rainfall. Parking near dry vegetation, barbecues and fireworks are banned, and Valencia has closed its natural parks. Hospitals are also on alert for eye injuries caused by viewing the Sun without suitable protective glasses.

10 August 2026 at 14:32

Climate

Andalusia Wildfire: Over 4,000 Hectares Burned on August 8, 2026

A forest fire burned over 4,000 hectares in Andalusia, southwest Spain, on August 8, 2026, driven by winds of 40 to 50 km/h. This summer, other European countries are also affected: 42,000 hectares have burned in southwest France, and Greece is experiencing vast wildfires. A new heat wave is forecast for France, Spain, and Italy starting the week of August 10. Researchers confirm that wildfire risk increases each year in connection with human-caused climate change.

8 August 2026 at 16:11

World

Italy-Spain Border Crisis: Madrid Gives Rome Until August 9 to Lift Controls

Spain has set Italy an ultimatum until August 9, 2026 to lift border controls established on August 1 on air, sea and land connections with Spain. Italy justifies these measures by citing the migration crisis in Ceuta, an autonomous Spanish city in North Africa bordering Morocco. The Spanish government has branded these controls as "unjust, contrary to EU interests and discriminatory". Rome has also demanded Spain's exclusion from the Schengen area, a legally impossible demand. Spain threatens to take "proportional measures" if Italy does not respond before the deadline.

7 August 2026 at 15:28

World

Ceuta: far right intensifies calls to expel migrants

Far-right leaders have intensified calls to expel migrants who remain in Ceuta, according to The New York Times. Anti-immigration activists were also due to hold a rally in the Spanish territory to demand tougher measures. The mobilisation follows the arrival of thousands of migrants in the Spanish exclave last week.

2 August 2026 at 10:12

World

Ceuta: 50,000-60,000 Migrants in 48 Hours, 67 Deaths, and Mass Return to Morocco

Between July 29 and 30, 2026, between 50,000 and 60,000 people — mostly young Moroccan nationals — crossed the border into Ceuta, a Spanish autonomous city on North Africa's coast bordering Morocco, according to Spanish authorities. The peak of arrivals occurred during the night of July 30-31, 2026. At least 67 people died. By August 1, more than 48,000 migrants had left Ceuta to return to Morocco. Italy responded by suspending Schengen free movement rules for non-EU nationals arriving from Spain throughout August. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez demanded an urgent summit of the 27 EU Member States, calling the situation 'unforgivable behavior.'

2 August 2026 at 05:42

World

Firefighters from German state of North Rhine-Westphalia arrive in Spain on August 1

Firefighters from North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), a German state, arrived in Spain on August 1, 2026, to assist in fighting forest fires, according to news agency dpa, reported by Zeit.de. A first team was deployed immediately to the ground. Frank Frenser, a firefighter from Bonn's fire brigade, confirmed the arrival and swift mobilization of emergency services.

1 August 2026 at 16:01

World

Climate Change Makes Extreme Fire Weather 20 Times More Likely in Spain

Human-caused climate change significantly accelerated the heat and drought fueling wildfires in France and Spain. Analysis by the World Weather Attribution concludes that the probability of these extreme conditions has increased twentyfold in Spain and doubled in France. Across Southern Europe, days with extreme fire weather risk have risen from approximately 10 to nearly 25 per year. Despite decades of improved firefighting techniques and management, climate change has reversed earlier progress.

1 August 2026 at 09:55

World

Ceuta migration crisis: Italy suspends Schengen rules for travelers from Spain

Italy suspended Schengen rules for non-European nationals arriving from Spain starting August 1, 2026, for one month, following the arrival of 60,000 migrants at Ceuta on July 31. According to Spanish government figures, at least 67 people died during the mass arrivals. Over 48,000 migrants have returned to Morocco, and France quintupled its police presence at the Franco-Spanish border with 334 officers.

31 July 2026 at 21:31

World

Ceuta crossings trigger political offensive against Sánchez over Spain’s regularisation plan

Approximately 60,000 people crossed the Spanish-Moroccan border at Ceuta on Thursday, prompting European politicians to attack Pedro Sánchez's government and link the arrivals to Spain's regularisation process. Sánchez, present at the scene, characterized the influx as an « attack » on Spanish territorial integrity, which the enclave deems impossible to absorb given its population. Madrid rejects that connection, noting that recent arrivals cannot qualify because applicants must have lived in Spain before January 1, 2026, and show five months of continuous presence. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has called for the Schengen area to be closed with Spain. The European People's Party group wants the crisis placed on the European Parliament's agenda in September 2026.

31 July 2026 at 11:14

World

European wildfires: Climate risk at least 20 times higher in Spain

A World Weather Attribution study published on July 31, 2026, concludes that human-caused climate change made weather conditions conducive to destructive wildfires at least 20 times more likely in Spain and at least twice as likely in France. Since early July 2026, wildfires across Europe have killed people, destroyed thousands of homes and forced more than 300,000 people to flee. Three firefighters died in Greece. Smoke caused pollution peaks of up to 20 times the acceptable threshold, with effects felt as far as 400 km from the fires.

31 July 2026 at 11:10

Climate

Megafires in Europe: Climate makes fire conditions 20 times more likely in Spain, study finds

A World Weather Attribution (WWA) study published on July 31, 2026 concludes that climate warming has made conditions conducive to wildfires at least 20 times more probable in Spain and at least twice as probable in France. Since early July, fires have killed people, destroyed thousands of homes, and forced over 300,000 to flee. Smoke caused pollution peaks 20 times above acceptable air quality thresholds, felt up to 400 km away. Three firefighters died in Greece. The UN climate chief calls for accelerating the transition from fossil fuels to renewables.

31 July 2026 at 08:04

World

Europe: Wildfires in Spain and France affect about 330,000 people

Active wildfires in Spain and France have affected approximately 330,000 people since late July 2026. As of July 30, the Gironde fire remains stabilized with heat alerts being lifted. In Fontainebleau, two fire flare-ups have been immediately controlled (11 hectares total), with no threat to homes. In Brignoles, aerial means have halted the fire's progression. These events reflect Europe's climate emergency documented by Guardian correspondent Sam Jones over a decade marked by deadly fires in Portugal and Valencia flooding in 2024.

29 July 2026 at 16:13

World

Pedro Sánchez named Best Chef at Spain’s 2026 National Gastronomy Awards

Pedro Sánchez, owner of the Michelin-starred Bagá restaurant in Jaén, has been named Best Chef at Spain’s 2026 National Gastronomy Awards. The 45-square-metre restaurant is known for a distinctive, pared-back approach using few ingredients. Mohamed Benabdallah was named Best Sommelier, while Pilar Salas received the communication award. Casto Copete and Josep Bernabeu Mestre were also recognised. Two further winners will be announced in September, before the awards ceremony in Toledo on November 9, 2026.

29 July 2026 at 14:15

Spain

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