Spanish fire death toll rises to 13, bull-running Joker goes viral, Catalonia in the midst of its third summer heatwave and more news on Monday July 13th.
Spanish fire death toll rises to 13
The toll from the deadly wildfires in southern Spain rose to 13 on Sunday after a British woman died of her injuries in hospital, officials in Andalusia region announced.
They said that the 93-year-old woman who had been admitted to a hospital in Almería suffering from the injuries she had sustained in the Los Gallardos forest fire had died that afternoon.
King Charles sends condolences to Spanish wildfire victims
Britain’s King Charles III has sent his condolences and solidarity to Spanish King Felipe VI and all the people who have died or been affected by the horrific wildfire that has struck Los Gallardos in Almería, southern Spain.
UK ambassador to Spain Alex Ellis was tasked with making Charles III’s message known on Sunday, stating on X that the British monarch had sent “a message of condolence to His Majesty King Felipe” on his and Queen Camilla’s behalf with “his deepest condolences and solidarity with those affected by this tragedy.”
Ellis also expressed relief at the news of the fire being stabilised and his gratitude to the consular team “in support of British citizens and their families, which will continue as long as necessary.”
Three Belgians believed to be among Spanish wildfire victims
Belgian authorities have indicated they have been unable to contact three of their citizens, who are feared to be among the fatalities of the forest fire in Los Gallardos, Almería.
However, the Belgian government has clarified that official confirmation from Spanish forensic experts could take several days.
The wildfire has left a preliminary toll of 13 dead and 8 injured, while efforts to stabilise the fire have already allowed evacuees to return home.
Bull-running Joker goes viral
This edition of Pamplona’s world-famous San Fermín will be remembered for a runner dressed as one of the famous villains in the world of comics and superhero movies: the Joker.
‘El Joke de Sanfermines’ has participated in several of the bull runs and been shoved around by young vaquilla bulls in the bullring, dressed in the traditional white clothes and red handkerchief but also looking very much like Batman’s arch-rival, with green-dyed hair, white makeup and the famously unsettling smile.
The man behind the makeup is in fact a young American from Chicago called Lacey Mrzena, who’s made a name for himself on TikTok and Instagram (@Straightdroplace) for turning up to events looking like the Joker.
Unfortunately for him, he’s been arrested by police on two occasions now and faces fines of up to €6,000 for taking selfies of himself during the bull run and touching one of the animals during the encierro, both prohibited acts.
Catalonia in the midst of its third summer heatwave
Catalan Civil Protection Agency on Sunday activated their heat alert for the northeastern region’s third heatwave of the summer, which is forecast to last at least until Wednesday.
Authorities have placed 72 municipalities on extreme fire risk alert.
The sweltering temperatures will be accompanied by tropical nights and Saharan dust known as calima.
