LOS GALLARDOS
At least 11 people have died and 19 others remain missing after a rapidly spreading wildfire swept through southern Spain, making it one of the country’s deadliest blazes in recent years. Emergency crews continued firefighting and search operations on Friday as authorities worked to contain the fire and locate those still unaccounted for.
The wildfire broke out in a heavily wooded area surrounding the town of Los Gallardos in Almeria province, a popular holiday destination that attracts thousands of visitors each year. Fueled by dry vegetation and extreme summer temperatures, the flames spread with exceptional speed, leaving little time for residents and tourists to react.
According to Antonio Sanz, head of emergencies in Spain’s Andalusia region, many of the victims appeared to have ignored official instructions to remain sheltered and instead attempted to flee the fire in their vehicles. Authorities believe this decision significantly increased the risk as roads quickly became engulfed by flames and dense smoke.
Among the confirmed fatalities were four people who died inside a single vehicle. Officials believe they were British nationals because the car had a right-hand drive configuration, commonly used in the United Kingdom. Seven additional victims were discovered after they apparently abandoned their vehicles and attempted to escape on foot along a route that was not included in the official evacuation plan.
Sanz said preliminary findings suggest that most, if not all, of the deceased were foreign nationals. Authorities are continuing efforts to formally identify the victims and notify their families while investigators examine the exact circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Emergency services have urged residents and visitors to follow evacuation instructions during wildfires, warning that deviating from designated routes can prove fatal when fires spread unpredictably. Firefighters have been working around the clock, supported by aircraft and ground crews, to contain the blaze and protect nearby communities from further damage.
The disaster has drawn comparisons to the devastating wildfire that struck neighbouring Portugal in June 2017, when more than 60 people lost their lives during an intense heatwave. In that tragedy, many victims died inside their vehicles after attempting to escape advancing flames, highlighting the dangers of last-minute evacuations during fast-moving wildfires. Spain has experienced an unusually early and intense wildfire season this year due to repeated heatwaves and prolonged dry conditions.