A man’s body has been discovered in the Valencian municipality of Gátova on Sunday as roughly 1,000 evacuees returned to their homes following a nearby wildfire, though police sources cited by EFE have confirmed the death is entirely unrelated to the blaze.
Evacuation Lifted in Gátova Amid Strict Safety Restrictions
Authorities authorized the return of approximately 1,000 people to Gátova at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 23, 2026. The municipality typically houses fewer than 500 permanent residents.
Despite the lifting of the evacuation order, returning residents must continue to adhere to strict safety measures. According to official directives, locals must remain inside their homes with windows firmly closed and consume bottled water rather than tap water.
Police Investigate Unrelated Death Discovered During Realojo
While residents re-entered the town on Sunday, authorities located the lifeless body of an adult male inside a local residence. According to police sources, the grim discovery was prompted by a strong odor emanating from the property.
Investigators noted that the man lived alone, suffered from chronic medical conditions, and relied on some form of domiciliary assistance. Based on the condition of the remains, police estimate that the man had been dead for at least several days, predating both the initial shelter-in-place order and Friday’s evacuation.
