Spain: Medieval kings' remains rescued from monastery threatened by wildfire

Firefighters in Spain's northeastern Aragon region have conducted an emergency operation to save priceless historical artifacts and the remains of three medieval kings from a 10th-century monastery under threat from raging wildfires.

The San Juan de la Peña monastery, a significant historical site, faced imminent danger as the wildfire, which ignited on Monday, intensified and advanced towards it by Thursday evening. In response, authorities mobilized an emergency team comprising military personnel, police, and cultural heritage officials.

The rescue mission successfully extracted the remains of three kings who ruled the region between 1035 and 1104, along with an 18th-century ceremonial robe and several historical paintings. These treasures have been transported to a museum in Huesca province, approximately 80 kilometers south, for safekeeping.

Despite the successful evacuation from the monastery, the overall wildfire situation in Spain remains critical. High temperatures and strong winds are fueling the blazes. In the southern province of Huelva, a separate, more severe wildfire has consumed over 31,000 hectares, leading to the evacuation of around 700 residents. While the San Juan de la Peña monastery was reportedly undamaged as of Friday morning, the ongoing threat from the fires underscores the severity of the situation across the country.