At least 12 people have been confirmed dead and 23 others remain missing after a fast-moving wildfire tore through Spain’s southern Almería province, forcing hundreds of residents to flee their homes as firefighters continue battling the blaze.
The fire, which erupted around Los Gallardos in the Andalusia region, is being described by local authorities as one of the most devastating wildfires the area has ever experienced. The bodies of the victims were found in and around the village of Bédar, a community with a large British expatriate population.
Andalusian regional president Juanma Moreno confirmed the updated death toll on Friday, adding that four people remain seriously injured. Authorities cautioned that those reported missing may still be located elsewhere, stressing that search operations are ongoing.
Early indications suggest that four of the victims may be British nationals after authorities discovered four bodies inside a burnt-out right-hand-drive vehicle. The UK Foreign Office said it is working with Spanish authorities to verify the reports, while Downing Street described the situation as “concerning.”
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Hundreds of firefighters, emergency workers and military personnel have been deployed to contain the inferno. The operation includes 30 aircraft, helicopters, fire engines and more than 220 soldiers from Spain’s Military Emergency Unit, alongside civil guard officers assisting with evacuations, traffic control and investigations.
Regional officials said the blaze has scorched about 3,000 hectares of land and displaced around 600 residents. More than 140 evacuees have been accommodated in emergency shelters, while several people have been hospitalised with serious burns and smoke inhalation.
Although officials say the fire is now “more or less” under control, authorities warned that changing wind conditions could rapidly worsen the situation.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said all available national resources had been mobilised to support firefighting efforts and expressed condolences to the families of the victims.
The cause of the wildfire remains under investigation. Initial reports suggested a fallen electricity pole may have sparked the blaze, but electricity companies have disputed the claim, saying the cable identified near the origin of the fire belonged to an inactive private connection disconnected decades ago.
Officials believe some victims became trapped after attempting to evacuate through an unofficial route instead of following designated evacuation instructions.
The wildfire comes amid an intense summer heatwave across southern Europe, with temperatures reaching around 40°C in parts of Spain. According to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Service, 2026 is already among Spain’s worst wildfire years in the past two decades, with prolonged heat and dry conditions increasing the risk of destructive fires.
Residents described frightening scenes as thick smoke darkened the sky and flames spread rapidly across the hills.
Peter Chapman, a British holidaymaker staying in nearby Mojácar, said the experience was “surreal,” recalling how the sky turned dark before the smell of smoke filled the air.
Firefighting operations and search efforts for the missing continued on Friday as authorities urged residents to remain vigilant and follow official safety instructions.
