Forest fires engulf tourist destination

Rob Hastings
Tuesday 03 July 2012 21:28 BST
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Firefighters struggle to extinguish a blaze in Liria, near Valencia, after forest fires destroyed tens of thousands of hectares of vegetation.

A helicopter pilot became the disaster's first fatality after his aircraft crashed after dumping water on the flames.

At least 2,000 people have been evacuated from the popular tourist area while more than 1,000 firefighters attempt to stop the flames reaching homes. Nasa has released images showing smoke blanketing much of the region on the Mediterranean coast.

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