SPANISH AUTHORITIES STEP UP ARRESTS AS ARSON SUSPECTS REACH 37

Spanish police have arrested five more people suspected of starting wildfires, bringing the total number of alleged arsonists detained since June 1 to 37. The new arrests come as fires continue to rage across the country, fueled by a relentless heatwave.

In a significant effort to combat the devastating wildfires sweeping across Spain, the Spanish National Police and the Civil Guard have arrested five new suspects. These arrests raise the total number of individuals detained on suspicion of arson to 37 since June 1.

The Ministry of the Interior has also confirmed that 113 people are currently under investigation for their alleged involvement in the blazes—an increase of 20 since yesterday.

Among the latest suspects is a 47-year-old man accused of igniting a wildfire in Viladevos, in the province of Ourense. The fire consumed 578 hectares and threatened seven towns, with one community being ordered to shelter in place to avoid dangerous smoke and fumes. The man, who has a prior criminal record for arson, has been remanded into custody without bail.

In Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, a 17-year-old was arrested on suspicion of setting seven different forest fires over a ten-day period. The juvenile prosecutor’s office in La Coruña has ordered his transfer to a juvenile detention center.

Another arson suspect was also apprehended in the northeastern region for allegedly causing a significant fire in Oimbra. Like the other suspects, he was ordered to be held in preventive custody without bail.