A fast-moving wildfire that erupted on Thursday in the Los Gallardos area of Andalusia, southern Spain, has resulted in at least 12 deaths. Authorities are currently searching for 19 individuals who remain missing following the disaster, which devastated large swathes of forest and scrubland.
Antonio Sanz, the regional minister for emergencies, stated that everything indicates that the deceased are, mostly or entirely, foreign nationals. According to officials, the victims reportedly abandoned designated evacuation routes in an attempt to escape via a river, a path that proved fatal when the fire overtook them. The blaze was described as a complex and rapid event in a region characterized by ravines, making the use of heavy machinery difficult.
Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla, head of the Andalusia regional government, noted that four of the victims were found burned to death inside a right-hand drive vehicle, and are believed to be British nationals. On top of the four killed in a car, seven people died while trying to escape on foot and two people were taken to hospital with burns injuries, he added. Other officials said eight people had been injured, four seriously.
Emergency crews, including approximately 500 firefighters and Spain’s Military Emergency Unit, worked to contain the flames. Around 800 people were evacuated, with nearly 200 placed in temporary shelters. Regional officials reported receiving over 150 emergency calls, and approximately 3,150 hectares of land have been scorched.
While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, some witnesses have suggested a fallen power line may have ignited the scrubland. Bedar Mayor Angel Francisco Collado reported that he had urged residents to evacuate, even those who were reluctant to leave. As conditions remain volatile, officials have warned that shifting winds could exacerbate the situation.
Spain, which has been experiencing extreme heat and orange weather warnings, is currently facing a severe wildfire season. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his devastation on X, noting that the country had planned its largest-ever wildfire response for this summer. In a mark of respect, King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, and their daughters held a minute of silence on Friday, with the King cutting short a ceremony to offer his condolences.
The incident occurs against a backdrop of increasing climate concerns, as scientists link human-driven fossil fuel consumption to more frequent and intense heatwaves, which create tinderbox conditions. Last year, Spain recorded its highest wildfire damage, with nearly 4,000 square kilometres of land destroyed.
Reporters with the AFP news agency saw firefighters battling to douse the flames sweeping across the parched countryside, sending plumes of white smoke into the air.
The king cut short his appearance at a ceremony marking the completion of his eldest daughter Princess Leonor's military training to express condolences to those affected by the disaster in Almeria.
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