- Wildfires in central Spain destroyed homes and forced nearly 90,000 people to evacuate, including a young family left with nothing.
- Survivor Rocío Domínguez escaped with only the clothes on her back, leaving behind all memories and possessions except a dog kit.
- Domínguez described the chaotic escape as “like the apocalypse,” with traffic jams, thick ash, and burned animals visible.
- Queen Letizia acknowledged survivors’ anguish and uncertainty after hearing their stories of hasty departure from home.
Spanish wildfires have devastated communities, forcing nearly 90,000 people to evacuate their homes. Survivors like Rocío Domínguez recount harrowing escapes, leaving behind everything they owned. Domínguez, who fled with only a dog kit, described the chaos: “It was madness with cars going up and down, traffic jams in the village streets as people tried to get out. It looked like the apocalypse.”123
Many evacuees are grappling with loss, as entire neighborhoods have been reduced to ashes. Domínguez noted, “Everything was covered in ash. You could see all the burned animals.” The emotional toll is profound, with survivors expressing feelings of sadness and uncertainty about their future.
Queen Letizia of Spain emphasized the importance of listening to these stories, stating, “It is important to hear how they feel and how they recount their hasty departure from their home.” The fires have not only destroyed homes but also left families questioning their next steps, as they navigate the aftermath of this disaster.5
“Nearly 90,000 people have been forced to flee homes in central Spain; survivor Rocío Domínguez described the escape as 'like the apocalypse.' Queen Letizia acknowledged survivors' anguish, noting the 'uncertainty' and 'hasty departure' recounted to her.”
