At least 12 people have died and 23 others remain missing after one of the deadliest wildfires in Spain’s recent history broke out in the southeastern province of Almería, as the country faces another intense heatwave this summer.
Authorities in Andalusia said the victims, including four people believed to be British nationals, died while attempting to escape the flames near the village of Bédar, in the municipality of Los Gallardos.
“This is an unimaginable tragedy, and I want to express our condolences to the families of the victims,” said Andalusia’s regional emergency minister Antonio Sanz, describing the blaze as “a terrible and extremely complex fire spreading at extraordinary speed.”
Emergency services confirmed that eight people were injured, four of them seriously, while rescue teams continued efforts to determine whether there were additional victims.
According to authorities, some of those who died attempted to flee despite official warnings to remain in place or follow designated evacuation routes. Their decision to seek alternative escape paths through difficult terrain turned into a fatal trap.
Four victims found inside a vehicle are believed to have been British nationals, as the car had a right-hand steering wheel. Several others who left their vehicles and attempted to escape on foot are also believed to have been foreign citizens, though their identities have not yet been confirmed.
The Guardia Civil has called on families searching for missing relatives to report to its station in the nearby town of La Garrucha. Authorities are collecting DNA samples to identify the victims as quickly as possible.
Around 800 people have been evacuated, while approximately 200 have been placed in temporary shelters. More than 150 firefighters and around 220 military personnel from Spain’s emergency response unit have been deployed to battle the flames.
Officials believe the fire may have been caused by a fallen electricity line. Andalusia’s president Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla described it as “one of the fastest and most complex fires of recent years,” warning that extreme heat and dry conditions had created ideal circumstances for the rapid spread of flames.
The wildfire has also sparked political debate in Spain, with opposition officials criticizing emergency preparedness, while government representatives rejected accusations and emphasized that regional authorities are responsible for wildfire prevention and management.
Scientists have repeatedly warned that rising temperatures and climate change are increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including devastating wildfires across Southern Europe.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed condolences to the victims’ families and solidarity with affected communities, urging citizens to remain extremely cautious during the ongoing climate emergency.
