A fast-spreading wildfire in the southeastern province of Almería, Spain, has killed at least 12 people and left 23 unaccounted for, marking one of the country's deadliest wildfires amid a second summer heatwave. The regional government of Andalucía confirmed that four of the victims are believed to be British nationals, with the blaze erupting near the village of Bédar in the municipality of Los Gallardos.
Officials Express Condolences Amid Crisis
Antonio Sanz, the region's emergency minister, expressed grief on Friday morning, stating, "There are no words for such pain and I want to offer our condolences to the families of the dead. This is terrible news and today the hearts of the people of Andalucía are in mourning." He described the fire as "terrible and very complex" and "spreading very fast."
Eight people have been injured, four seriously, as emergency services work to contain the blaze that began on Thursday afternoon. Sanz noted that the deceased had attempted to flee despite official advice to stay put or follow evacuation routes, adding that the fire had not ultimately reached Bédar. "Unfortunately the decision to look for another way out through a ravine was a real trap," he said. "Four people who died in one vehicle are thought to be British as the car they were found in was right-hand drive. Seven other people who had got out of their cars and were trying to walk out on a route that wasn't the evacuation route suffered terrible consequences. It would appear that most of them were also foreigners, but their identification has yet to be confirmed."
International Response and Evacuations
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stated, "My thoughts are with all those affected, including British nationals. We are in close contact with the Spanish authorities and stand ready to support those affected. Those in the area should continue to follow official advice." The Guardia Civil urged relatives to visit their station in La Garrucha for DNA testing to identify victims quickly.
Efforts to deploy heavy machinery are hindered by limited access and challenging terrain, according to Sanz. Approximately 800 people have been evacuated, with nearly 200 accommodated in shelters. He stressed the importance of following official instructions, saying, "In an emergency, the authorities' instructions are not recommendations; they are designed to protect lives." Authorities suspect a fallen power line may have ignited the fire.
Regional and Political Reactions
Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla, regional president of Andalucía, offered condolences and described the blaze as "one of the fastest and most complex fires in recent years." He added, "Everything is very dry due to the heatwaves, making it the perfect fuel, and combined with the wind, it's a ticking timebomb." By Friday morning, 150 firefighters and 220 soldiers from the military emergencies unit were deployed.
The mayor of Los Gallardos, Francisco Miguel Reyes Martín, told Cadena Ser radio, "This is the first time that we've had a fire as destructive as this. It looks like a bomb has gone off in our municipality." Political tensions emerged as the conservative People's Party (PP) suggested the central government had failed to prevent the fires, despite wildfire management being a regional responsibility under Spain's devolved system. PP secretary general Miguel Tellado said, "Spain needs better public services across all areas – especially to prevent and tackle tragedies like the one we've suffered in Almería today." Transport minister Óscar Puente responded furiously on X, accusing the PP of cutting firefighting personnel and failing to send emergency mobile alerts, referencing criticism of the PP government in València during deadly floods in October 2024.
Climate Context and Historical Impact
Extreme heat has fueled devastating wildfires across southern Europe, exacerbated by climate breakdown. In 2017, 66 people died in central Portugal wildfires, many in their cars. In 2025, at least seven people died in Spanish wildfires, with a record 393,000 hectares (971,000 acres) burned. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed sadness and called for caution, noting a 10-point plan to address climate emergencies. He highlighted that the climate emergency has caused over 20,000 deaths and €32 billion (£28 billion) in material losses in the past five years. Health authorities in Spain and France reported over 2,000 excess deaths from extreme heat last month.
