Spain Wildfire Kills 12 as Search Continues for 23 Missing

At least 12 people have died and 23 others remain missing after a fast-moving wildfire swept through southern Spain, according to Andalusian regional president Juanma Moreno.

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The blaze broke out in a wooded area near Los Gallardos in Almería province before spreading rapidly towards the nearby village of Bédar. Moreno said early indications suggested the fire may have been triggered by a collapsed power line, although he stressed the cause remained under investigation.

The bodies of the victims were discovered in and around Bédar. Andalusia's health and emergencies minister, Antonio Sanz, described the incident as the most devastating wildfire the region had ever experienced and warned that the death toll could rise.

Foreign nationals among the victims

Officials said many, or possibly all, of those who died may have been foreign nationals.

Four victims were found inside a vehicle, while eight others were discovered elsewhere after apparently attempting to escape the advancing flames. Sanz said the car had a right-hand drive steering wheel and the occupants were believed to be of British origin.

A spokesperson for the UK government said the Foreign Office was in contact with Spanish authorities. Belgium's Foreign Minister, Maxime Prévot, also said consular officials were trying to establish contact with Belgian nationals who had not yet been reached, noting that many Belgians own second homes in Spain.

Sanz said those who died had apparently tried to flee using a route different from the one designated for evacuation.

Four people remain in hospital with serious burns, while another four were treated for minor burns and smoke inhalation.

Fire response and investigation

Around 1,000 residents were evacuated as emergency services closed roads and worked to contain the fire.

Spain's Military Emergency Unit deployed 220 soldiers and 70 vehicles to the affected area, while the Civil Guard assigned 160 officers to assist with evacuations, traffic management and the investigation into the fire's origin.

Moreno said maintenance crews would be held accountable if the investigation confirmed the fire had been caused by a fallen power line. However, electricity company Endesa disputed that suggestion, saying the damaged line was inactive and did not belong to the company.

Peter Chapman, who owns a holiday home near Los Gallardos with his wife, said the smoke spread so quickly they initially believed a storm was approaching.

He described the scene as surreal and said it was difficult to imagine holidaymakers losing their lives in such circumstances.

Extreme heat fuels wildfire risk

The fire comes during a prolonged heatwave that has pushed temperatures in parts of southern Europe to around 40C, contributing to major wildfires in Spain, Portugal and France this summer.

With at least 12 confirmed deaths, the blaze is already among the deadliest wildfires in modern Spanish history. Previous major incidents include the deaths of 11 firefighters near Riba de Saelices in 2005, 20 people on La Gomera in 1984 and 21 people near Lloret de Mar in 1979.

Spain has experienced increasingly severe wildfire seasons in recent years. The government announced its largest-ever summer firefighting operation this year after record-breaking heat in June.

According to the European Forest Fire Information System, a record 393,000 hectares burned in Spain last year, more than six times the country's average between 2006 and 2024.

Scientists say rising global temperatures are increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves across Europe, making wildfires more destructive. Europe is warming faster than any other continent, with researchers warning that severe fire seasons are likely to become more common.

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11 July 2026