Deadly Wildfires in Southern Spain Leave 12 Dead, 23 Missing

At least 12 people have died and 23 remain missing after a fast-moving wildfire forced residents and holidaymakers to flee the Spanish town of Los Gallardos in Almería province. Emergency officials in Andalusia reported that the blaze, one of Spain’s deadliest on record, spread rapidly through wooded areas near the coastal municipality, trapping people in their vehicles and on foot. Authorities said most of the victims appeared to be foreign nationals, including several whose right-hand-drive cars suggest they were British visitors.

Antonio Sanz, head of emergencies for the Andalusia region, told reporters that four people were found dead inside a single vehicle, while seven others died after leaving their cars and attempting to escape on foot along an unplanned route. Juan Manuel Moreno, president of the Andalusia regional government, said the missing included likely hikers, pointing to the discovery of walking sticks at the scene. He compared the situation to the deadly 2017 Portugal wildfires during a summer heatwave that killed more than 60 people.

The fire broke out on Thursday, with local officials initially suspecting a fallen power line as the cause. Pedro Ridao, mayor of nearby Antas, later said technicians from utility company Endesa found the cable carried no voltage and concluded that strong afternoon winds rapidly fanned the flames across dry scrubland. Ridao described how the fire advanced quickly, consuming farmhouses, holiday homes, and cars. Firefighters from across Spain, supported by aircraft, are working to contain the blaze amid challenging conditions.

Spain’s wildfire season has begun unusually early this year due to a series of intense heatwaves that have left vegetation tinder-dry. According to the European Forest Fire Information System, about 57,000 hectares have burned so far in 2024—nearly half the annual average for the past 20 years and accounting for 40 percent of all land burned in the European Union. Roman Garcia, a forest firefighter from Salamanca, noted that fires typically do not reach this scale until August, warning that vegetation is drying out earlier than usual.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed deep sorrow for the victims and pledged continued support for emergency efforts. He had previously acknowledged shortcomings in Spain’s wildfire prevention and forest management following last August’s record heatwave, which led to the worst wildfire season in three decades, scorching 330,000 hectares—an area twice the size of London.

As rescue teams search for the missing, families from multiple countries have taken to social media and local forums seeking information. Concerns have been raised about people attempting to escape on foot through unfamiliar terrain during fast-moving fires. Authorities continue to investigate the cause and are urging the public to follow official evacuation orders rather than flee by car or on foot.

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