Wildfires in southern Spain kill 12 amid soaring temperatures | Spain
It was reported that 12 people died in a forest fire in Almeria, southern Spain, as approximately 150 firefighters battled the blaze amid rising temperatures.
“The death toll from the fire in Los Gallardos has risen to 12 after six more deaths were confirmed,” the Andalusian regional government said in a statement. he said.
In a statement from the regional government, it was stated that the deaths occurred in the hamlet of Bedar, and at least six people were injured, including a woman who suffered burns in the fire and a person who suffered smoke inhalation and was hospitalized.
The other four people were treated at the scene for minor burns and respiratory problems caused by heavy smoke.
Authorities have not confirmed the cause of the fire, but witnesses told authorities that the fire may have started when a power line fell, igniting dry vegetation and quickly spreading through the surrounding forest area.
As the fire spread, roads were closed and residents were evacuated; About 50 people stayed in a cultural centre.
Spain’s military emergency unit, which is deployed in major emergencies, was expected to join firefighting efforts in the coming hours.
Juanma Moreno, president of the Andalusian regional government, expressed his condolences to the families of the dead and described the incident as a “tragedy”.
“Our hearts are heavy and we are devastated with pain,” he wrote to X.
The fire comes as Spain is suffering from a heatwave and scorching temperatures have triggered orange weather warnings (the second highest level) in parts of Andalusia in recent days.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said in May that Spain would undertake its biggest summer wildfire response this year.
Fire weather, a combination of heat, drought and strong winds, is increasing in parts of all continents. Human-caused climate disruption is responsible for higher fire probability and larger burned areas in Southern Europe, Northern Eurasia, the USA, and Australia; There is also some scientific evidence of an increase in southern China. Climate disruption has increased the global wildfire season by an average of two weeks.
Spain has experienced increasingly frequent and prolonged heat waves in recent years; temperatures often exceed 40°C, leading to large fires.
More than 393,000 hectares (971,000 acres) burned in Spain in 2025, according to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), making it the country’s worst forest fire year in recent history.
