A devastating wildfire has claimed at least 12 lives in Spain’s southern Andalusia region, with authorities confirming the deaths early Friday morning. The blaze erupted Thursday afternoon near Almería and rapidly escalated in intensity and scale.
Mounting Toll and Harrowing Details
The regional government of Andalusia announced that the death toll in the Los Gallardos area had risen to 12 after confirming six additional fatalities in the fire-affected zone. Earlier reports from emergency services cited six deaths in the hamlet of Bedar — some victims found inside their vehicles.
At least six others were injured. One woman suffered burns, while another person experienced respiratory distress; both were hospitalized.
Emergency Response Under Extreme Conditions
Approximately 150 firefighters, supported by five vehicles, worked through the night from Thursday to Friday to contain the inferno. In response to the fire’s rapid spread and severity, the regional forest fire response plan (Plan INFOCA) was elevated to Emergency Phase 2 — its second-highest operational alert level.
National Reaction and Ongoing Investigation
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed “immense sorrow” over the “tragic consequences” of the fire affecting Almería province. He extended his condolences to the victims’ families and urged emergency responders to exercise “great caution.”
Authorities are investigating the cause of the blaze. Local residents suggest a downed power line may have ignited dry vegetation — a plausible trigger given the region’s extreme heat and drought conditions. However, no official confirmation of the cause has been released.
The fire comes amid a widespread European heatwave, with early signs of a powerful El Niño pattern intensifying weather extremes across the continent. Similar wildfires continue to burn in Portugal and France.