[REVISION HISTORY]

Fatal shanty town fires in Huelva province

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What changed

2026-09-27 11:34 UTC → 2026-09-28 04:39 UTC · added ~~removed~~

In mid-September 2026, a fire in the La Sevillana informal settlement in Lucena del Puerto, Huelva, killed a 36-year-old Malian national and forced the evacuation of 90 people. The blaze affected roughly 50 shanties and a forested area, prompting authorities to shut down power lines due to electrical risks. On September 26, a second fatal fire occurred in a shanty town settlement located in the San Jorge industrial estate of Palos de la Frontera. This blaze destroyed approximately twenty makeshift dwellings constructed from plastic and wood, resulting in the death of a 39-year-old Mauritanian man who worked as a seasonal agricultural worker. The fire broke out around 9:00 AM, with thick smoke hindering response efforts by the Guardia Civil, local police, firefighters, medical services, and the Red Cross. This event marks the third fire at this specific settlement in 2026, following a larger blaze in July that affected approximately 300 dwellings. In response to the incident, social organizations, including CCOO Huelva, have condemned the fire, stating it is not an isolated accident but a consequence of “extreme precariousness and lack of dignified housing for migrant workers in the province.” They have called on authorities to provide urgent housing solutions to prevent further tragedies in these settlements, which are frequently used by seasonal workers. The cause of the September 26 fire remains under investigation. Recent reports highlight the extreme vulnerability of these residents, who often lose all possessions, including clothing, documents, and mobile phones, leaving them dependent on aid from entities such as Cruz Roja and Cáritas. Many displaced workers face the difficult choice of moving to other municipalities to seek new employment and shelter.

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