A wildfire moved very quickly in southern Spain, killing at least 12 people. The fire spread across 15 kilometers in just two hours on Thursday afternoon, July 9, 2026, because of strong winds. By Friday morning, officials confirmed that 12 people had died in the Almeria province. Another 23 people are still missing, and families are searching for them.
The fire happened near the towns of Los Gallardos and Bédar in Andalusia. Many foreign residents and tourists live in this mountainous area. Local authorities believe most of the victims were not Spanish citizens.
Some people tried to escape by driving through a dry riverbed instead of using the official evacuation routes. This became a dangerous trap, and rescue workers found many victims' bodies in burned cars. One car with right-hand steering likely carried people from Britain.
Regional president Juanma Moreno said, "Our hearts are heavy and we are devastated by grief." The fire burned over 3,200 hectares of land. About 150 firefighters, 220 military personnel, and 70 pieces of equipment were sent to fight the fire. Over 1,000 residents had to leave their homes, and about 50 are staying in a temporary shelter. Two main roads were closed because of smoke and danger.
Eight people were injured, and four of them needed to go to the hospital. Eyewitnesses think a broken electrical cable started the fire by igniting dry plants. This happened during a period of very hot weather in Europe, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius. Climate scientists say Europe is warming quickly, making fires more likely and extending the fire season.