Murcia forest fire extinguished, Spain’s biggest hotel chain pulls out of Cuba, five Spanish police officers die in lorry collision, and more news from Spain on Thursday 4th June.
Spain’s biggest hotel chain pulls out of Cuba
Spain’s largest hotel chain Meliá said Wednesday that it would cease its operations in Cuba, joining other foreign firms that have cut ties with the island’s military conglomerate GAESA under pressure from Washington.
Meliá said it would close the 15 hotels it manages in Cuba, citing evolving geopolitical, social, legal and economic circumstances in the country.
“The decision has been taken from a deep sense of corporate responsibility and is the result of a combination of circumstances beyond the company’s capacity to manage or influence,” the company said.
Melia follows Spanish hotel chain Iberostar and Canada’s Blue Diamond, both of which recently announced plans to halt tourism operations in Cuba as the island’s tourism sector struggles under pressure from Washington.
Murcia forest fire extinguished
A fire that broke out on Tuesday at 3.10 pm in the El Valle-Carrascoy regional park in Murcia was declared under control on Wednesday evening, over 24 hours after it started and following an intense night of work by emergency personnel.
The flames ravaged some 117 hectares and forced the precautionary evacuation of around a hundred residents from Los Garres and Lages.
“The fire in Los Garres has now been brought under control. I would like to reiterate my thanks to all the personnel who have taken part in the fire-fighting efforts,” announced Fernando López-Miras, President of Murcia, on social media, adding that “a team of 150 personnel remains in place” should there be further flare ups.
Five Spanish police officers die in Navarre lorry collision
Five regional police officers from Navarre, all men aged between 35 and 55, died on Wednesday when the van in which they were travelling on the AP-8 motorway collided with a tanker lorry.
The men, reportedly on their way to a training exercise organised by the Ertzaintza, were involved in the accident at around 9.15 when the two vehicles, both travelling towards Vizcaya, collided, according to the Basque security forces.
Málaga man almost loses arm after spider bite
A 37-year-old man from the El Palo neighbourhood of Málaga is recovering from a severe injury after being bitten by a brown recluse spider.
The incident occurred whilst he was doing some gardening at a friend’s house, according to Diario Sur, which reports that the man felt “a sharp sting” in his arm whilst watering some plants.
Following rapid swelling accompanied by a high fever of 39 degrees, a painful lump appeared in the affected area some hours after the bite and his family feared he might “lose his arm”.
In the days that followed, the skin began to darken and signs of necrosis appeared but regular check-ups and medication mean the man is now recovering.
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With additional reporting from AFP.