At least 11 people have died in a wildfire tearing through southern Spain Wildfire, with early indications suggesting four of the victims are British nationals, according to a local official. Hundreds of emergency responders, military personnel and aerial crews are working to contain the blaze around Los Gallardos in the Almería region, which appears to have been started by a downed power line.
The bodies of the victims were found near the small village of Bédar, just outside Los Gallardos. Nineteen people remain missing, and hundreds of residents have been evacuated as firefighters continue to battle difficult terrain and shifting winds that threaten to drive the fire further.
Regional president Juanma Moreno described the impact of the fire as "devastating" and warned the death toll could rise significantly in the hours ahead.
How the Fire Spread and Who It Has Claimed
A sustained heatwave gripping southern Europe, with temperatures in the area reaching around 40C (104F), has created dangerous conditions for wildfires across the region this summer. The Almería blaze has already burnt through an estimated 3,000 hectares of land, with the fire still active as crews work to establish containment lines.
Around 120 people were evacuated in the early hours of Thursday morning, following earlier evacuations of residents from the Almocáizar neighbourhood, Fuente del Albarico, Los Pinos, La Serena and homes in the Pinar area of nearby Bédar. In total, around 600 people remain displaced. The Emergency Agency of Andalucía (EMA) confirmed that 148 people have been taken to two local shelters.
Four people suffered serious burns or smoke inhalation and were taken to hospital. Four others were treated at the scene for respiratory problems and minor burns.
Some Victims Died After Ignoring Evacuation Routes
Details emerging from local officials paint a troubling picture of how some of the deaths occurred. According to media outlet La Voz de Almería, citing Andalusia's emergency minister Antonio Sanz, some victims died while attempting to navigate their own evacuation route rather than the one designated by local authorities.
"Some deaths occurred after the victims decided to leave on their own through a dry riverbed, which turned out to be a real trap."
Bédar Mayor Ángel Francisco Collado Fernández said that in the early stages of the fire, officials went door to door warning residents to leave their homes, but some refused to go.
His account underlines the difficulty emergency services face when residents do not follow official guidance during fast-moving fires, and raises questions about whether clearer or earlier communication could have altered the outcome for some of those who lost their lives.
Local minister Antonio Sanz said the fire was not actively spreading at the time of his statement, but added that winds were expected to shift, a development that could significantly aggravate the situation on the ground.
Scale of the Emergency Response
The response to the Almería wildfire has drawn on considerable state and military resources. Authorities confirmed that seven helicopters, including five medium, one light and one command aircraft, are involved in firefighting efforts, alongside six planes comprising two ground-based aircraft, one amphibious plane and one coordination aircraft.
Pedro Riado, mayor of Antas, told Spanish broadcaster RTVE that aerial equipment was essential given the nature of the terrain, which makes it extremely difficult for ground-based fire engines to reach the flames directly.
The EMA has deployed 178 personnel and nine fire engines to the site. Spain's Military Emergency Unit (UME) has also sent 220 soldiers and 70 vehicles to the Almería region to assist with the operation. More than 160 civil guard personnel are involved in the emergency response, supporting evacuation efforts, regulating traffic and searching for the precise origin of the fire. In total, around 150 firefighters are actively tackling the blaze on the ground.
Sanchez Pledges Full National Response
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez confirmed that all of the country's material and human resources had been deployed to tackle the fire. Writing on X, Sanchez said he had spoken directly with Andalusia's regional leader Juanma Moreno, and that the two had been coordinating their response since the blaze began.
"I reiterate the government's condolences to the families of those who have died and our solidarity with all residents. Please follow the recommendations of the authorities and emergency services. Take extreme caution."
His message reflected both the human cost of the disaster and the ongoing danger facing residents still in the affected area.
As crews continue their work and wind conditions remain unpredictable, authorities have urged the public to follow official guidance closely. With 19 people still unaccounted for and the fire not yet fully contained, the situation in Almería remains serious and fast-developing.