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Hundreds evacuated in Gátova after wildfire caused by lightning strike

In the Valencia region of Spain, hundreds of people have been evacuated from the village of Gátova following a wildfire triggered by a storm.

22 August 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: Hundreds evacuated in Gátova after wildfire caused by lightning strike — Archive photoPhoto: Irene Grassi (sun sand & sea) · Flickr · BY-SA

Authorities in the Valencia region ordered the evacuation of the village of Gátova on Friday due to a wildfire. The fire was ignited by a lightning strike during a severe storm that hit the area.

According to local authorities, several hundred residents were forced to leave immediately towards the south. The evacuation is a response to the deteriorating situation and the risk of further spread of the flames.

The situation in Valencia follows a series of extreme weather events that have affected Europe in recent weeks, including heatwaves and wildfires.

There are conflicting reports regarding the number of evacuated residents, with some sources estimating the figure to be nearly one thousand. This number comes from reports released by local authorities on Saturday.

The evacuation is being carried out to ensure the safety of residents and to mitigate the impact of the wildfire.

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