LOS GALLARDOS, Spain– A devastating wildfire raging through the province of Almería in southern Spain has claimed at least 12 lives, with early indications suggesting that four of the victims are British nationals, according to local officials. The blaze, which erupted on Thursday afternoon, has been described by authorities as one of the fastest and most complex fires in recent years.
The bodies of the victims were discovered in and around the small, hillside village of Bédar, located just outside Los Gallardos. Among the deceased, four people were found trapped inside a burnt-out vehicle. Officials identified them as likely British after observing that the car had its steering wheel on the right-hand side, a characteristic of UK-registered vehicles. The remaining victims were found scattered in the surrounding area, apparently overtaken by the flames while trying to escape on foot.
The search for survivors continues, with authorities reporting that 23 people remain unaccounted for. More than 800 residents have been evacuated from their homes as the fire continues to threaten communities in the region.
Hundreds of emergency responders are battling the inferno, which has already consumed more than 3,200 hectares (approximately 7,900 acres) of forest and farmland. The firefighting effort includes approximately 150 firefighters and 220 soldiers from Spain’s Military Emergency Unit (UME).
The mayor of Los Gallardos, Francisco Miguel Reyes, expressed the community’s shock, stating, “This is the first time that we’ve had a fire as destructive as this. It looks like a bomb has gone off in our municipality”. The mayor of the nearby town of Garrucha, a forest ranger by profession, described the scene as unprecedented, recalling a fire front that stretched for at least 25 kilometers (15.5 miles).
While the fire is now considered “more or less” under control, the mayor of Antas warned Spanish media that the situation remains precarious: “If the wind picks up again, things could get complicated”. The blaze is believed to have been sparked by a downed power line that ignited dry vegetation, which spread rapidly due to a sustained heatwave bringing temperatures of around 40°C (104°F) to the region.
Andalusia’s regional president, Juanma Moreno, called the impact of the fire “devastating” and warned that the death toll could rise significantly as search operations continue. The UK Foreign Office has confirmed it is in contact with Spanish authorities following the “concerning” reports of British casualties.
