Madrid : The Kingdom of Spain’s rail operating company Adif stated that high-speed train services between Madrid and Barcelona were suspended after a wildfire broke out near a section of the line in Catalonia.
The disruption comes as Spain prepares for the first heatwave of the season, with the national weather agency forecasting a sharp rise in wildfire risk from Sunday, particularly in northern inland areas.
Last summer, Spain and Portugal experienced a 16-day heatwave that was the most intense on record and contributed to devastating forest fires.
Scientists say such extreme weather events are becoming more frequent due to human-caused climate change.
Adif and the train operating company Renfe said services between the Lleida-Pirineus and Camp de Tarragona stations were suspended at the request of firefighters tackling a blaze that broke out near the railway line in Catalonia, north-eastern Spain.
The weather agency said temperatures are expected to rise from Saturday and increase further on Sunday, particularly in the north and north-west.
