Wildfire endangers woods on island
MADRID — Officials say high temperatures have intensified a wildfire on a Spanish island, endangering a valuable wooded area that is a rare survivor of the ancient type of forest that once covered much of Europe. Regional agriculture spokeswoman Nancy Melo said the flames on La Gomera are encroaching on Garajonay National Park, which contains laurel forests ‘‘of incalculable ecological value.’’ (AP)
Bus falls into gorge, killing 52 people
NEW DELHI — An overcrowded bus fell into a deep gorge in a mountainous area of northern India on Saturday, killing 52 people and injuring 46 others, police said. The driver lost control of the vehicle on a sharp curve in Himachal Pradesh state, police officer Raj Kumar said. The bus then fell more than 300 feet into the gorge, Kumar said. (AP)
At mosque, 13 die of lightning strike
SYLHET — At least 13 devotees were killed by lightning outside a mosque in northeastern Bangladesh. Bayes Ahmed, local police chief, said 20 other people were injured by the lightning late Friday in Sylhet District. Ahmed said Saturday that some of those who were killed died at the scene, while others died on the way to the hospital. (AP)