A severe wildfire in Spain’s southern Almeria region has resulted in the deaths of at least 12 people, according to authorities reporting on Friday. The tragedy coincides with a scorching heat wave that has placed much of the country under high-level weather alerts.
The casualties were discovered in two separate locations. Late Thursday evening, six individuals were confirmed dead in the hamlet of Bedar, with some victims found trapped inside their vehicles. By Friday morning, regional government officials in Andalusia announced that six additional bodies had been recovered in Los Gallardos.
Antonio Sanz, the Andalusian Minister of the Presidency, Health, and Emergencies, described the event as an “unprecedented tragedy.” Expressing the gravity of the situation, he stated that there are no words for such pain and noted that the hearts of all Andalusians are currently in mourning. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also took to social media to express his deep sadness regarding the loss of life.
Emergency efforts are currently focused on containment and public safety. Minister Sanz urged residents to avoid impacted areas, refrain from taking unnecessary risks, and follow established escape routes. While the primary goal is saving lives, medical teams have also been treating other residents for respiratory issues caused by smoke inhalation and minor burns.
To combat the spreading flames, authorities have mobilized approximately 150 personnel from the military emergency unit. They are working in coordination with an equal number of regional firefighters, supported by five fire trucks, medical units, and fire suppression technicians. Several neighborhoods, including Almocaizar, Fuente del Albarico, Los Pinos, La Serena, and El Pinar, have been evacuated as a precaution.
While investigators are looking into the cause of the blaze, witnesses have suggested that a fallen power line may have ignited the dry vegetation. Authorities have not yet officially confirmed this as the source of the fire. The incident occurs as Spain faces a heat wave characterized by scorching temperatures, which have triggered orange weather warnings—the second-highest level of alert—across the nation. These conditions have significantly dried out vegetation, heightening the risk of forest fires.
Earlier this year, Prime Minister Sanchez announced that Spain would launch its largest-ever wildfire response initiative. The nation is particularly sensitive to these threats, having recorded its worst wildfire season in recent history during 2025, when more than 393,000 hectares—an area roughly three times the size of Los Angeles—were burned.
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