Spain Wildfire in Almería Kills 12, with 19 Missing Amid Extreme Heatwave

A catastrophic wildfire in Los Gallardos, Almería, in southern Spain, has claimed at least 12 lives, with 19 others missing, according to regional authorities. The blaze, which broke out in a hamlet near the Sierra de Los Filabres mountains, was sparked by a fallen power line and spread rapidly through a wooded area near the village of Bédar. Regional president Juanma Moreno confirmed this is the deadliest wildfire the region has seen to date, warning that the death toll could rise further. Four victims, believed to be of British origin, were found trapped inside a vehicle with right-hand drive, while seven others were discovered elsewhere, apparently attempting to escape the flames through improvised routes amid dense smoke.

The disaster unfolded amid a severe heatwave gripping southern Europe, with temperatures reaching approximately 40°C (104°F), conditions that exacerbated the fire's rapid spread. The blaze forced the evacuation of around 1,000 residents from the area and resulted in the closure of two major roads: the N-340A and A-7. Among the injured were those treated for smoke inhalation, burns, and respiratory problems. Spain's Military Emergency Unit (UME), regional emergency services, Protección Civil, and approximately 150 firefighters mobilized to combat the flames and assist affected residents.

Andalusia's health and emergencies minister, Antonio Sanz, noted the fire's complexity and the challenges posed by evacuees taking unplanned routes through heavy smoke, which compounded casualties during the initial evacuation phase. He suggested that the majority or even all victims may have been foreign nationals. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his "enorme tristeza y desolación" (enormous sadness and desolation) and extended condolences to victims' families and solidarity with affected residents.

The wildfire is part of a broader pattern of summer wildfires across southern Europe, with major incidents also reported in France and Portugal. Spain experienced record-breaking temperatures in June, reaching 42°C (107.6°F) in some regions, and last year saw 393,000 hectares burn across the country—more than six times the Spanish average for 2006-2024. Climate scientists have linked the intensifying Mediterranean fire season directly to climate change, as Europe warms twice as fast as the global average. Experts warn that more frequent and severe wildfires are likely to continue across Europe in the coming years.