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Wildfires displaces 8,000 on Gran Canaria

Monday, 19 August 2019 11:45

Around 8,000 people have been evacuated as wildfires rip through Gran Canaria in Spain's Canary Islands.

It is the second time in a week that residents of the popular tourist island have had to flee their homes because of a forest fire.

Emergency military units are helping local firefighters to tackle the flames and water-bomber planes have been sent from Malaga and Sevilla to assist.

Authorities said the fires, which started on Saturday, are advancing on two fronts in a mountainous area of the island.

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