Large 4×4 vehicles “killed Valencians”, climate campaigners have claimed.
A group which calls itself “The Tyre Extinguishers” was referring to the deaths of more than 200 people following flash floods in eastern Spain.
Campaigners said they had deflated the tyres of SUVs in Edinburgh, describing the off-roaders as “death machines” responsible for a “plague of potholes”.
Photographs posted on social media showed cars in the Scottish capital’s New Town sprayed with slogans.
“These cars kill Valencians” was daubed on a dark red Range Rover Sport, one post showed.
The image of a 28-year-old man who died in the floods – former Valencia footballer Jose Castillejo – was placed on a windscreen, the group added.
Another two vehicles were shown painted with the words: “These cars kill kids.”
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Pic: Tyre Extinguishers/X
The group said it was highlighting SUVs’ allegedly “disproportionate role in causing catastrophic weather” – such as that in Spain.
It quoted the International Energy Agency (IEA), which has said: “If SUVs were a country, they would be the world’s fifth largest emitter of CO2.”
SUVs accounted for 48% of global car sales in 2023, the IEA added.
“SUVs weigh 200-300kg more than an average medium-sized car, and typically take up nearly 0.3 m2 more space – emitting roughly 20% more carbon dioxide emissions,” it said.
On social media, the group says: “We are The Tyre Extinguishers. We will make it impossible to own an SUV in the world’s urban areas. For climate, health, public safety.”
Pic: Tyre Extinguishers/X
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On its website, the group says a flat tyre is a “minor inconvenience”, and adds: “We’re taking this action because governments and politicians have failed to protect us from these huge vehicles.
Pic: Tyre Extinguishers/X
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“Everyone hates them, apart from the people who drive them.”
Sky News has approached Police Scotland for comment.