Spain battles to contain one of its deadliest wildfires as at least 12 killed
A catastrophic wildfire has devastated the Los Gallardos area near Bedar in south-eastern Spain, claiming at least 12 lives and leaving 23 people unaccounted for—making it one of the deadliest fire disasters in Spanish history. The blaze swept through Almería province on Thursday afternoon with extraordinary speed, driven by extreme temperatures around 40°C, severely parched ground, and powerful winds. Four confirmed dead were British nationals found together in a burnt-out vehicle, and officials fear additional foreign residents may be among those missing. Some victims did not follow evacuation routes, though it remains unclear how effectively evacuation guidance was communicated to residents in this expatriate-heavy area.
The disaster reflects an intensifying crisis across Southern Europe, where a sustained summer heatwave has triggered widespread wildfires in Spain, Portugal, and France. Scientific analysis links the rising frequency and severity of such extreme fire conditions to climate change, with Europe warming approximately twice the global average rate according to the Copernicus climate service. The combination of elevated temperatures, water scarcity, and volatile weather is increasingly overwhelming emergency response systems across the continent. Spanish authorities indicated that conditions were expected to improve on Saturday with cooler air and lighter winds.
In short
- Deadly wildfire in southern Spain kills at least 12, including 4 British nationals; 23 missing
- Extreme heatwave (~40°C), drought, and winds fuelled rapid spread near village of Bedar
- Part of broader European heatwave pattern linked to climate change
Explained simply
A severe wildfire has devastated the Los Gallardos area near Bedar in Almería province, south-eastern Spain. The fire spread with extraordinary speed on Thursday afternoon, driven by temperatures around 40°C and powerful winds, killing at least 12 people and leaving 23 others unaccounted for. This is among the deadliest fire disasters in Spanish history.
The disaster reflects broader conditions affecting Southern Europe, where an extended heatwave has sparked widespread wildfires across Spain, Portugal and France. Climate scientists have linked the rising frequency and severity of such extreme fire conditions to climate change, with Europe warming approximately twice the global average rate.
The incident underscores how rising temperatures and water scarcity are creating fire conditions that emergency services across the continent struggle to manage. Several British nationals were among the dead in an area with a significant expatriate population, and the fire's rapid spread has prompted questions about warning and evacuation procedures.