At least 12 people have died as a wildfire is ripping through a Spanish region loved by British expats and holidaymakers. The blaze broke out near Los Gallardos in the southeastern province of Almería.
The deadly fire comes as an intense heatwave grips southern Europe, with soaring temperatures helping to fuel wildfires across Spain, France and Portugal. According to the Andalusian regional government, several of the victims were found inside vehicles that had been engulfed by the flames. Witnesses said the fire was sparked by a downed power line before spreading rapidly into nearby woodland. However, authorities have not confirmed the cause of the blaze. The Andalusian regional government said in a statement: “The number of people who died in the fire in Los Gallardos has risen to 12 after the confirmation of six more deaths.”
Among the six people injured, one was taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation, while another sustained burns. Four others were treated at the scene for minor burns and respiratory problems caused by the heavy smoke.
The fire has forced the evacuation of around 1,000 residents, while emergency services have closed roads in the area as crews continue battling the flames.
Juanma Moreno, president of the Andalusian regional government, called the incident as a “tragedy” in which the municipalities are “shattered by grief.”
Writing on X he said: “With heavy hearts and shattered by grief. Our deepest condolences to the families of the six people who lost their lives in the #IFLosGallardos and the affection from all of us to the municipalities affected by the fire.
“A tragedy. We are devastated by this terrible news.”
Around 150 firefighters have been deployed to tackle the blaze in the nearby hamlet of Bedar, with Spain’s Military Emergency Unit (UME), which responds to major emergencies, joining the firefighting effort.
The deadly wildfire comes as temperatures of around 40C continue to fuel major blazes across southern Europe.
Hundreds of firefighters are tackling fires in France, Portugal and Spain, while thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes.
Earlier this year, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Spain would deploy its largest-ever summer wildfire response during the 2026 season, according to local media and AFP.
Spain has already endured an exceptionally hot summer, recording its highest daily average temperature since records began in 1950 in June, while also experiencing its hottest days ever for the month.
Temperatures as high as 42C (107.6F) were forecast in parts of the country.
According to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), a record 393,000 hectares (971,000 acres) burned in Spain last year, more than six times the country’s average between 2006 and 2024.
