The Bright Side: Spanish firefighters praised for saving historic Cordoba mosque-turned-cathedral
Firefighters were being praised on Saturday for rapidly containing a fire a day after it threatened to destroy a historic mosque-turned-cathedral in the southern Spanish town of Cordoba. The spectacular blaze, which broke out on Friday, was captured on video and widely shared on social media, evoking memories of the 2019 fire that almost razed France's famed Notre-Dame cathedral to the ground.
Issued on: 09/08/2025 -
Firefighters were being praised on Saturday for rapidly containing a fire a day after it threatened to destroy a historic mosque-turned-cathedral in the southern Spanish town of Cordoba. The spectacular blaze, which broke out on Friday, was captured on video and widely shared on social media, evoking memories of the 2019 fire that almost razed France's famed Notre-Dame cathedral to the ground.
Issued on: 09/08/2025 -
By: FRANCE 24
Firefighters work to extinguish a fire which broke out in the historic mosque-turned-cathedral in the southern Spanish city of Cordoba on August 8, 2025
. © Madero Cubero, AFP
A historic mosque-turned-cathedral in Cordoba in southern Spain reopened on Saturday, a day after a blaze that was quickly contained by firefighters, a spokesman for the site said.
Considered a jewel of Islamic architecture, the site opened at 10am (0800 GMT) and will close at 7pm – its regular hours – with only the area where the fire broke out cordoned off to the public, he told AFP by telephone.
The spectacular blaze broke out on Friday at about 9pm, raising fears for the early medieval architectural gem and evoking memories of the 2019 fire that ravaged Notre Dame cathedral in Paris.
Widely shared videos had shown flames and smoke billowing from inside the major tourist attraction, visited by two million people per year.
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Firefighters quickly contained the blaze and Cordoba's mayor, Jose Maria Bellido, told Spanish media said the monument was "saved".
Luckily, the rapid and magnificent intervention of the Cordoba firefighters averted a catastrophe. The fire is now out, and tonight firefighters and local police teams will remain on site to avoid any risk," he added on X late on Friday.
A historic mosque-turned-cathedral in Cordoba in southern Spain reopened on Saturday, a day after a blaze that was quickly contained by firefighters, a spokesman for the site said.
Considered a jewel of Islamic architecture, the site opened at 10am (0800 GMT) and will close at 7pm – its regular hours – with only the area where the fire broke out cordoned off to the public, he told AFP by telephone.
The spectacular blaze broke out on Friday at about 9pm, raising fears for the early medieval architectural gem and evoking memories of the 2019 fire that ravaged Notre Dame cathedral in Paris.
Widely shared videos had shown flames and smoke billowing from inside the major tourist attraction, visited by two million people per year.
Read moreThe Bright Side: Gabon's ancient caves shed light on 27,000 years of human history
Firefighters quickly contained the blaze and Cordoba's mayor, Jose Maria Bellido, told Spanish media said the monument was "saved".
Luckily, the rapid and magnificent intervention of the Cordoba firefighters averted a catastrophe. The fire is now out, and tonight firefighters and local police teams will remain on site to avoid any risk," he added on X late on Friday.
The Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba is pictured next to the Roman bridge on June 11, 2023. © Cristina Quicler, AFP
Officials are expected to give an update on the extent of the damage later on Saturday.
ABC and other newspapers reported that a mechanical sweeping machine had caught fire in the site.
The site was built as a mosque – on the site of an earlier church – between the 8th and 10th centuries by the southern city's then Muslim ruler, Abd ar-Rahman, an emir of the Umayyad dynasty.
After Christians reconquered Spain in the 13th century under King Ferdinand III of Castile, it was converted into a cathedral and architectural alterations were made over following centuries.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Officials are expected to give an update on the extent of the damage later on Saturday.
ABC and other newspapers reported that a mechanical sweeping machine had caught fire in the site.
The site was built as a mosque – on the site of an earlier church – between the 8th and 10th centuries by the southern city's then Muslim ruler, Abd ar-Rahman, an emir of the Umayyad dynasty.
After Christians reconquered Spain in the 13th century under King Ferdinand III of Castile, it was converted into a cathedral and architectural alterations were made over following centuries.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Copyright AP Photo/Manu Fernandez
By Emma De Ruiter
Published on 09/08/2025
France, Spain, Greece and Turkey are all battling wildfires as a new heatwave brings record temperatures surpassing 42 degrees Celsius.
Firefighters are battling wildfires across southern Europe as extreme heat grips the region with record-breaking temperatures.
In France, About 1,400 firefighters were deployed on Saturday in France's southern Aude region to prevent the country's largest wildfire in decades from reigniting, as all residents were allowed to return to their homes.
Aude prefect Christian Pouget said the fire has been contained since Thursday after burning more than 160 square kilometres this week in the wooded region, known for its wineries.
All roads have been reopened but authorities issued a strict ban on accessing the forest, Pouget said at a news conference on Saturday.
“The fight is continuing, firefighters are still working on (fire) re-ignition,” he said.
Burned trees are pictured during one of the largest wildfire in decades in Fontjoncouse, southern France, Friday, Aug.8, 2025. AP Photo/Manu Fernandez
The blaze left one person dead and 25 people have been injured, including 19 firefighters, Pouget said.
High temperatures in the coming days are expected to complicate firefighters' efforts.
“The fire won’t be extinguished for several weeks,” Col. Christophe Magny, director of Aude firefighters department, said, pointing to several “hot spots” that are being closely monitored.
France’s national weather agency Meteo France placed the southern half of France under “high vigilance” alert for heat wave, with temperatures expected in the Aude region of up to 39°C on Saturday.
Fires continue in Spain and Greece
Firefighters also continued to battle an active wildfire in Avila province, central-western Spain on Saturday.
The fire began on Friday afternoon, with the Spanish Military Emergencies Unit (UME) working through the night in an effort to bring it under control and prevent it from approaching roads and train lines.
With temperatures reaching close to 39°C in parts of Spain and Portugal, fire risk is extremely high.
The current period of extreme temperatures is expected to continue until at least next Wednesday, according to Spain's national weather service AEMET.
The blaze left one person dead and 25 people have been injured, including 19 firefighters, Pouget said.
High temperatures in the coming days are expected to complicate firefighters' efforts.
“The fire won’t be extinguished for several weeks,” Col. Christophe Magny, director of Aude firefighters department, said, pointing to several “hot spots” that are being closely monitored.
France’s national weather agency Meteo France placed the southern half of France under “high vigilance” alert for heat wave, with temperatures expected in the Aude region of up to 39°C on Saturday.
Fires continue in Spain and Greece
Firefighters also continued to battle an active wildfire in Avila province, central-western Spain on Saturday.
The fire began on Friday afternoon, with the Spanish Military Emergencies Unit (UME) working through the night in an effort to bring it under control and prevent it from approaching roads and train lines.
With temperatures reaching close to 39°C in parts of Spain and Portugal, fire risk is extremely high.
The current period of extreme temperatures is expected to continue until at least next Wednesday, according to Spain's national weather service AEMET.
A helicopter flies through smoke from a fire at Keratea, outskirt of Athens, on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025. AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis
In Greece, a large wildfire that erupted on Friday afternoon in Keratea, some 40 kilometres southeast of Athens, continued to rage across eastern and southern Attica through the night, causing significant damage to homes and claiming one life.
Authorities issued evacuation orders as the blaze approached residential areas while firefighters battled strong winds.
At least 260 firefighters, supported by 77 vehicles, were working to contain the blaze, with numerous volunteers and civilians assisting in the affected areas.
In Greece, a large wildfire that erupted on Friday afternoon in Keratea, some 40 kilometres southeast of Athens, continued to rage across eastern and southern Attica through the night, causing significant damage to homes and claiming one life.
Authorities issued evacuation orders as the blaze approached residential areas while firefighters battled strong winds.
At least 260 firefighters, supported by 77 vehicles, were working to contain the blaze, with numerous volunteers and civilians assisting in the affected areas.
Wildfire in Turkey under control
Wildfires in the central districts of Canakkale and the Bayramic area in western Turkey have been largely brought under control, according to Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli.
Yumakli stated that firefighting teams worked throughout the night to halt the advance of the blazes. He confirmed that the spread of the fires had been stopped and that cooling efforts are ongoing.
The fire, which broke out on Friday near Yigitler village and spread to a forested area under strong winds, had prompted precautionary evacuations in the villages of Sacakli, Ahmetceli, Doganca, Zeytinli, and Pitirelli.
A total of 654 residents were relocated to safe zones. Authorities reported that four suspects have been taken into custody as part of the ongoing investigations into the cause of the fires.
Smoke rises from the rubble following a fire in Sacakli, Canakkale province, northwest, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. Berkman Ulutin/Dia Photo via AP
A new normal
Southern Europe has seen multiple large fires this summer. Scientists warn that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of heat and dryness, making the region more vulnerable to wildfires.
This week, the UN World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) released a report detailing the impact of extreme heat worldwide.
The report indicated that extreme temperatures caused approximately 489,000 heat-related deaths annually between 2000 and 2019, with 36% occurring in Europe
In this record-breaking July, Turkey recorded an extreme new national high of 50.5°C, it said. Sweden and Finland also experienced unusually long spells of temperatures above 30°C.
The WMO warns that countries need to act faster to adapt to climate change and limit global warming, in line with the 2015 Paris Agreement.
“Extreme heat is sometimes called the silent killer, but with today’s science, data and technologies, silence is no longer an excuse. Every single death from extreme heat is preventable,” said WMO Deputy Secretary-General Ko Barrett.
The organisation estimates that scaling up heat-health warning systems in 57 countries alone could save nearly 100,000 lives annually.
“This is not just a climate issue, it’s a public health emergency,” said Joy Shumake-Guillemot, lead of the WHO-WMO Climate and Health Joint Programme and co-lead of the Global Heat-Health Information Network (GHHIN).
Huge wildfire breaks out on Mount Vesuvius with flames visible from Naples
Copyright Vigili del Fuoco
By Euronews
Published on 09/08/2025
A huge fire has broken out in the Vesuvius National Park with smoke visible over the city of Naples. Whilst over 100 firefighters and volunteers work to put out the blaze.
A huge fire has erupted in Vesuvius National Park in Italy’s western Campania region. The Campania Civil Protection deemed the situation critical, and has called in the Army to help manage the situation and guard roads, open access routes, and supply water to the tankers.
The National Civil Protection Department is also sending a support team to the Terzigno coordination centre and providing air support.
"In order to fight the flames and ensure the greatest possible air coverage for the extinguishing activities, six Canadairs of the national fire-fighting air fleet, coming from different regions and at work from the first light of dawn, are operating on the vast fire. In addition to the state fleet, airborne resources from the regional fleet are also operating on the fire,' the Civil Protection Service wrote in a statement issued on Saturday.
Over one hundred firefighters and volunteers working to extinguish the flames
Around 100 firefighters and Civil Protection volunteers have been battling the blaze relentlessly, working through the night from Friday to Saturday. Rising temperatures and unfavourable weather have made the task even more difficult.
Now in its fourth day, the fire has ravaged the Terzigno pine forest and spread into the neighbouring municipalities of Ottaviano and San Giuseppe Vesuviano. The flames are so intense they can be seen from across Naples and much of the surrounding province.
The mayor of Terzigno, Francesco Ranieri, described the past night as “very critical,” though the efforts of rescuers prevented the flames from reaching homes. However, some of the area’s most beautiful vegetation, behind the municipal stadium, has been destroyed.
The cause of the fire is considered suspicious. Mayor Ranieri voiced concern that it may be arson, recalling the devastating blazes of 2017 and suggesting there may be a “criminal hand” behind this one as well. At present, the fire front is moving from the Terzigno pine forest towards the Tirone–Alto Vesuvio reserve — an area of particular concern for emergency crews. The Park Authority estimates that around 200 hectares have already been affected.
Copyright Vigili del Fuoco
By Euronews
Published on 09/08/2025
A huge fire has broken out in the Vesuvius National Park with smoke visible over the city of Naples. Whilst over 100 firefighters and volunteers work to put out the blaze.
A huge fire has erupted in Vesuvius National Park in Italy’s western Campania region. The Campania Civil Protection deemed the situation critical, and has called in the Army to help manage the situation and guard roads, open access routes, and supply water to the tankers.
The National Civil Protection Department is also sending a support team to the Terzigno coordination centre and providing air support.
"In order to fight the flames and ensure the greatest possible air coverage for the extinguishing activities, six Canadairs of the national fire-fighting air fleet, coming from different regions and at work from the first light of dawn, are operating on the vast fire. In addition to the state fleet, airborne resources from the regional fleet are also operating on the fire,' the Civil Protection Service wrote in a statement issued on Saturday.
Over one hundred firefighters and volunteers working to extinguish the flames
Around 100 firefighters and Civil Protection volunteers have been battling the blaze relentlessly, working through the night from Friday to Saturday. Rising temperatures and unfavourable weather have made the task even more difficult.
Now in its fourth day, the fire has ravaged the Terzigno pine forest and spread into the neighbouring municipalities of Ottaviano and San Giuseppe Vesuviano. The flames are so intense they can be seen from across Naples and much of the surrounding province.
The mayor of Terzigno, Francesco Ranieri, described the past night as “very critical,” though the efforts of rescuers prevented the flames from reaching homes. However, some of the area’s most beautiful vegetation, behind the municipal stadium, has been destroyed.
The cause of the fire is considered suspicious. Mayor Ranieri voiced concern that it may be arson, recalling the devastating blazes of 2017 and suggesting there may be a “criminal hand” behind this one as well. At present, the fire front is moving from the Terzigno pine forest towards the Tirone–Alto Vesuvio reserve — an area of particular concern for emergency crews. The Park Authority estimates that around 200 hectares have already been affected.
Over 50 fires in Campania over the weekend
The crisis extends far beyond Vesuvius. The regional Civil Protection also tackled two other major blazes — one in Mercato San Severino, in the province of Salerno, and another in Frasso Telesino, in the province of Benevento. On Friday alone, more than 50 fires were recorded across Campania, underlining the severity of the situation.
The crisis extends far beyond Vesuvius. The regional Civil Protection also tackled two other major blazes — one in Mercato San Severino, in the province of Salerno, and another in Frasso Telesino, in the province of Benevento. On Friday alone, more than 50 fires were recorded across Campania, underlining the severity of the situation.
Los Angeles: Firefighters make progress against blaze that forced thousands to flee
Issued on: 09/08/2025 - FRANCE24
Firefighters in a mountainous area north of Los Angeles made good progress in their battle against a brush fire that has forced thousands of people to evacuate, officials said on August 8.
Issued on: 09/08/2025 - FRANCE24
Firefighters in a mountainous area north of Los Angeles made good progress in their battle against a brush fire that has forced thousands of people to evacuate, officials said on August 8.
Video by: Catherine VIETTE
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