At least 12 dead in Spanish wildfire as heatwave grips Europe

Fire tears through Almería

At least 12 people have died in a fast-moving wildfire in Almería province in southern Spain, according to regional officials and multiple reports. Authorities said 23 people were still missing on Friday as firefighters and military units continued searching the burned area.

The blaze broke out late Thursday near the Sierra de Los Filabres mountains and the Los Gallardos area, then spread rapidly through steep, dry terrain. Officials said strong winds and extreme heat helped drive the fire across more than 3,200 hectares.

Some victims were trapped while trying to flee despite shelter-in-place warnings, according to reports citing officials. The fire has been described in regional reporting as one of the deadliest wildfire disasters in Andalusia’s history.

Rescue and response

More than 150 firefighters and about 220 military personnel were deployed to the fire, according to AP. The response remained active as crews worked to contain the flames, search burned-out areas and account for people reported missing.

Regional officials said the emergency had become especially difficult because of the fire’s speed and the terrain. Reports said the blaze moved quickly enough to catch some residents as they tried to escape, raising fears that the death toll could increase if missing people are not found alive.

The area affected includes communities with residents and foreign expats, and some reports said British nationals may be among the dead. Authorities have not formally confirmed the identities of the victims.

Cause under investigation

Investigators believe a fallen power line or cable may have sparked the fire, but that has not been confirmed. One report said a burned right-hand-drive vehicle was found in the area, adding to speculation about possible foreign victims, though officials have not verified that link.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed sorrow over the tragedy as regional and national authorities coordinated the emergency response. The latest reporting indicates the search and rescue effort remains underway and the full extent of the disaster is still being established.

Heatwave danger across Europe

The wildfire is unfolding during a severe heatwave affecting Spain and France, with temperatures around 40C in some places. The hot, dry conditions have increased wildfire risk and made it harder for crews to slow the spread of the flames.

The broader fire danger across southern Europe has already forced evacuations in several countries this summer. In this case, the combination of extreme heat, wind and drought has turned a local blaze into a mass-casualty emergency.

Officials are now focused on four immediate questions: whether the missing are found alive, whether investigators confirm the suspected ignition source, how many people were evacuated or injured, and whether the victims include foreign nationals.

For now, the fire remains an active emergency in one of the most severe wildfire incidents reported in Andalusia in recent years.