Deadly Wildfire in Southern Spain Claims 11 Lives, 19 Missing as Firefighters Battle Blaze

MADRID: At least 11 people have been killed and 19 others remain missing after a fast-moving wildfire swept through Spain’s southern province of Almería, making it one of the country’s deadliest wildfires in decades, emergency officials said on Friday.

The blaze erupted in the wooded areas around the towns of Los Gallardos and Bédar in the Andalusia region, where strong winds, extreme heat and rugged terrain fuelled the rapid spread of the fire and hampered rescue efforts. More than 150 firefighters, supported by emergency personnel and aerial resources, continue to battle the flames.

Authorities said most of the victims appear to be foreign nationals who ignored official instructions to shelter in place, instead attempting to escape by car or on foot. Several victims were found in or near burned-out vehicles, while four of those killed are believed to be British nationals. Eight people were also injured, several of them critically.

Preliminary investigations suggest the fire may have been sparked by a fallen power cable igniting dry vegetation, although the exact cause remains under investigation. The wildfire comes amid an intense European heatwave that has created ideal conditions for large-scale forest fires across the continent.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and pledged full government support for emergency operations. Officials have urged residents to strictly follow evacuation and safety instructions as firefighters work to contain what has been described as one of the most devastating wildfires in Andalusia’s history.