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Mass Evacuations as Wildfires Sweep Across Europe
27 Jul
Summary
- Over 300,000 people evacuated due to wildfires.
- UK government advises caution for travel to affected areas.
- Travel insurance coverage for wildfire disruptions varies greatly.
Wildfires across Spain and France have led to the mass evacuation of over 300,000 individuals, with many seeking refuge in sports halls and temporary accommodations. Authorities in affected French departments, such as Gironde, have pleaded with tourists to postpone or cancel their travel plans due to the severe situation and potential for further evacuations and road closures.
The UK government has not issued specific travel bans but advises travelers to exercise caution and stay updated with local authorities. Wildfire risk in France is high seasonally from April to October. For those affected, the emergency number in both France and Spain is 112.
Travel insurance expert Anna-Marie Duthie notes that cancellation or curtailment costs might be covered if the disruption occurs after booking, depending on the policy. However, Chris Bose from the ABI highlights that only about half of travel insurance policies include 'catastrophe' cover, leaving many travelers unprotected.
In Spain, national emergencies have been declared for wildfires in Madrid and Ávila, with other inland areas also affected. Travelers are advised to first seek refunds from airlines, tour operators, or accommodation providers. Airlines should offer rebooking or full refunds for cancellations, especially for package holidays.
