A firefighter died and another was injured when their fire engine overturned in Castilla y León, authorities confirmed on Monday, bringing the total death toll from the wildfires still hitting the country to four.
This is the third death of a firefighter in the province of León, following those of two volunteer firefighters who tried to tackle the flames from a blaze that spread north from Zamora. ALSO READ: Second volunteer firefighter dies in Castilla y León region – third death from wildfires.
The fire engine overturned on Sunday evening in Espinoso de Compludo, a village in the municipality of Ponferrada, according to the EFE news agency. The deceased was a member of a fire crew from Soria, based in Garray.
The tragedy occurred amid the wave of wildfires devastating the province of León. Earlier last week, two other men – Abel Ramos and Jaime Aparicio, both volunteers – lost their lives while helping to contain the fire that had spread into southern León from Zamora.
According to Spanish media, the latest victim was part of the reinforcements sent from another province of Castilla y León, in this case to assist in containing the Yeres fire, which heavily damaged the UNESCO World Heritage site of Las Médulas. ALSO READ: Firefighters struggle to contain blaze near Roman-era heritage site in Castilla y León.
The accident happened around 10.30pm on Sunday, as the convoy was leaving the fire zone to rest, driving along a steep forest track near Espinoso de Compludo. For reasons still unknown, the vehicle veered towards the embankment and overturned, tumbling down a steep slope, according to the regional government of Castilla y León.
The driver was killed, while the crewman suffered minor injuries and was taken to El Bierzo Hospital, the authorities added.
The regional president, Alfonso Fernández Mañueco, expressed on social media platform X his ‘deepest condolences and all my affection to his family, friends, and colleagues’.
The regional government also stressed its ‘profound gratitude for the commitment, dedication and spirit of service shown by all the personnel of the INFOCAL fire response unit, as well as by the support teams who assist in this arduous task’.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez wrote: ‘All my affection to the family, friends and colleagues of the driver who passed away while fighting the forest fire in Espinoso de Compludo, and my wishes for recovery to the person who was injured. We will not forget your work and dedication.’ ALSO READ: Pedro Sánchez visits wildfire-hit Galicia and pledges ‘national pact’ to address climate emergency.
The incident marked a tragic end to a black Sunday in the province of León, where flames reached the Picos de Europa National Park. Nine fires are now at danger level 2 in the region, and 62 towns have been evacuated.
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.@jcyl lamenta el fallecimiento de un integrante del Operativo #INFOCAL en un vuelco de autobomba en Espinoso de Compludo, en #León
En el accidente ha resultado herida leve una persona que se encuentra actualmente en el Hospital El Bierzohttps://t.co/fO4Urwhujs pic.twitter.com/3lvttqRuSB
— Junta de Castilla y León (@jcyl) August 17, 2025
Muere un brigadista en El Bierzo.
Falleció tras volcar una autobomba en Espinoso de Compludo (León), cuando trabajaba en la extinción de incendios.#LaHora18A
⭕https://t.co/eGcuDv9QhY pic.twitter.com/sQXBau31WO
— La 1 (@La1_tve) August 18, 2025
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