Deadly wildfire in southern Spain kills at least 11 people
A blaze near Los Gallardos killed at least 11 people, left 19 missing and forced 1,000 evacuations as temperatures neared 40C.
At least 11 people were killed when a wildfire tore through Almeria province in southern Spain, leaving 19 others missing as crews fought to contain flames that raced through a holiday area northeast of Almeria city. The fire broke out on Thursday near Los Gallardos and Bedar during a severe heatwave, with temperatures close to 40C, and quickly became one of Spain’s deadliest blazes on record.
Andalusia’s regional leader Juanma Moreno said 19 people were still unaccounted for as search teams combed the burn zone. Some victims were found inside vehicles that had been engulfed by flames, a detail that underscored how fast the fire overtook roads and escape routes. Early indications suggested that four of the dead may have been British nationals, adding an international dimension to a disaster that struck one of southern Spain’s popular summer destinations. Six people were reported injured, and about 1,000 residents were evacuated as road closures were imposed across the area.
Firefighters and Spain’s military emergency unit were still battling the blaze on Friday. Reports put the response at roughly 150 firefighters and 220 soldiers, while another tally placed the total closer to 400 personnel. Authorities said a fallen power line may have started the fire, but the cause had not been officially confirmed. Officials described the event as an unprecedented tragedy as smoke and flames spread through dry hillsides and communities packed with seasonal visitors.
The wildfire also deepened pressure on a country already facing a punishing fire season. Spain had burned nearly 50,000 hectares by early July, according to wildfire figures cited in coverage of the year’s losses, and more than 393,000 hectares burned in 2025, one of the worst wildfire years in recent history. In Andalusia, the combination of heat, wind, dry vegetation and dense settlement has made evacuations harder and emergency response more stretched, especially when fire reaches homes, roads and parked cars at the same time.
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