Wildfire in Southern Spain Kills at Least 12, Leaves 23 Missing
A fast-moving blaze in Almería province killed at least 12 people, injured eight and left 23 missing as residents attempted to flee the flames.
A wildfire that ignited late Thursday in a semi-arid area near the Sierra de Los Filabres mountains in Almería province killed at least 12 people and injured eight, while 23 others remain missing, regional authorities said. The fire spread rapidly across scrubland and esparto grass, fuelled by high temperatures and wind, making containment difficult, according to Andalusian regional leader Juan Manuel Moreno.
Emergency services head Antonio Sanz said many victims ignored shelter-in-place orders and tried to escape on foot or by car, with some vehicles ending up in a dry riverbed that became a “death trap.” Seven people died after abandoning their cars, and most of the deceased are believed to be foreign nationals, including four British citizens identified by the right-hand steering wheels of their burned-out vehicles.
Authorities deployed about 150 firefighters and 220 soldiers from the military emergency unit to combat the blaze, which had already consumed more than 3,200 hectares of forest and farmland. Moreno described the terrain as steep and extremely dry, adding that the conditions created a “ticking time bomb.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed condolences, noting the “immense sadness and desolation” caused by the fire.
The incident follows a period of record-high temperatures across Spain and Europe, which have heightened the risk of wildfires. Climate experts warn that rising heat and prolonged droughts are increasing the frequency and severity of such events.