Old wartime shells are hindering firefighting efforts in Spain
Firefighters in eastern Spain, who are battling massive wildfires, are facing an additional threat. Their efforts are being hampered by unexploded ordnance left over from the 1936–1939 Civil War.
Due to the risk of explosions, experts are forced to proceed with greater caution, which complicates firefighting efforts in the affected areas.
Bolumar noted that in the area around the town of La Vall d’Uixó in the province of Castellón, rescue workers must account for the risk of possible explosions from old shells that still lie underground.
The mountainous terrain of La Vall d’Uixó was once part of the XYZ Line defense system, which Republican forces established in 1938 to protect Valencia from an advance by General Francisco Franco’s forces.
During the fighting, the area was subjected to numerous airstrikes, leaving unexploded ordnance in the ground. Due to high temperatures and the spread of the fire, these can pose a serious threat to firefighters.
This was stated by the head of the Valencia Fire Department, Chevi Bolumar, according to Reuters.
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