A wildfire in southern Spain has killed at least 11 people, making it one of the country’s deadliest on record, as soaring temperatures grip much of the country.
Several victims of the fire in Almeria were found inside burnt-out vehicles, local media reported. Eight others have been injured in the blaze, which 150 firefighters and 220 soldiers from Spain’s military emergency unit battled today. Regional Spanish emergency authorities said that four British nationals appeared to be among the victims.
23 are unaccounted for after a fast-moving wildfire broke out in south-east Spain as the country endures its second heatwave of the summer.The regional government of Andalucía said the victims, four of whom are believed to be British, had died while trying to flee the flames near the village of Bédar in the Los Gallardos municipality of Almería.
The fire broke out in a hamlet in a semi-arid area near the Sierra de Los Filabres mountains. Authorities have not confirmed the cause of the fire, but said people who called to report it said that a fallen power line had sparked a blaze that spread rapidly into a nearby forest. According to authorities, the fire also led to road closures, while 1,000 residents were evacuated.
The Guardia Civil urged people trying to trace missing family members to go to their station in the nearby town of La Garrucha. “The main objective is to identify the missing people and to be able to take the DNA samples in order to identify the victims as quickly as possible,” a spokesperson said. Antonio Sanz, the region’s emergency minister, said that efforts to bring in heavy fire-fighting machinery were being hindered by limited access and “terrible” topography.
Spain has battled frequent and severe heat waves in recent years, with temperatures often exceeding 40 C (104 F). Wind, high temperatures and little rainfall help small wildfires grow into unchecked blazes.In June, Spain experienced several days of record-setting heat, with over 1,000 excess deaths attributed to heat.
Fire weather, a combination of heat, drought and strong wind, is increasing across much of the world. Human-caused climate breakdown is responsible for a higher likelihood of fire and bigger burned areas in southern Europe, northern Eurasia, the US and Australia, with some scientific evidence of increases in southern China. Climate breakdown has increased the wildfire season by about two weeks on average across the globe.
Parts of Western Europe are facing their third heat wave in six weeks. According to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, Europe is the world’s fastest-warming continent, with temperatures increasing twice as fast as the global average since the 1980s.
Globally, 2025 was the third-hottest year on record, bringing several intense heat waves across Europe. Scientists warn that climate change caused in part by the burning of fuels like gasoline, oil and coal is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of heat and dryness, making certain regions more vulnerable to wildfires.
Leaders Offer Condolences
Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, offered condolences and urged people to take extra care. “We’re feeling immense sadness and desolation in the face of the terrible consequences of the fire affecting the province of Almería,” he said.
“I want to convey my condolences to the families of those who died in the Los Gallardos forest fire. My wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured and my solidarity with all the affected neighbours.”
Pedro Sánchez
In May, Sánchez said that Spain would deploy its largest-ever summer wildfire response this year.
Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla, the regional President, offered his condolences to all those affected by the fire, saying people were “shattered by grief.”
Antonio Sanz, the region’s emergency Minister, said, “There are no words for such pain and I want to offer our condolences to the families of the dead.” He added, “This is terrible news and today the hearts of the people of Andalucía are in mourning.”
Sanz said emergency services were fighting a “terrible and very complex fire, which is spreading very fast.” He said that eight people had been injured – four of them seriously – and that the authorities were trying to establish whether there were any more victims of the fire.
According to Sanz, those who had been found dead had tried to flee despite official advice recommending that people stay put. He added that the fire had not reached Bédar.
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