Post by : Badri Ariffin

At least 11 people have died and six others have been injured after a fast-moving wildfire tore through southern Spain, according to the Andalusian regional government.

The wildfire broke out near Los Gallardos in the province of Almería, where around 150 firefighters continue working to bring the flames under control. Witnesses said the fire may have started after a power line fell before spreading into a nearby wooded area. However, authorities have not officially confirmed the cause of the wildfire.

Victims Found While Trying to Escape

Emergency teams found the bodies of the 11 victims in and around the small village of Bédar, located near Los Gallardos.

Andalusia's Health and Emergencies Minister, Antonio Sanz, described the wildfire as both rapid and difficult to control. He said the regional government had earlier reported 12 deaths, but clarified that the number was provisional.

According to Sanz, four victims were found inside a car, while others were discovered in different locations, apparently attempting to escape the advancing flames.

Six People Injured During the Fire

The wildfire also left six people injured.

One person was taken to hospital after suffering smoke inhalation, while another received treatment for burns. Four more people were treated at the scene for minor burns and breathing problems caused by heavy smoke.

Evacuations and Emergency Response

The wildfire forced the closure of several roads and led to the evacuation of around 1,000 residents, according to emergency services.

Spain's Military Emergency Unit (UME), which responds to major emergencies, announced that it would join the firefighting operation in Los Gallardos to support local emergency crews.

Regional Leaders Call the Incident a Tragedy

Andalusian regional leader Juanma Moreno described the loss of life as "a tragedy."

In a message posted on X after the scale of the disaster became clear overnight, Moreno wrote: "Our hearts are heavy and we are devastated by grief."

Earlier this year, in May, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Spain would deploy its largest-ever summer wildfire response during the current fire season, according to local media.

Heatwave Intensifies Wildfire Risk Across Southern Europe

Spain is experiencing a prolonged heatwave, with temperatures reaching around 40°C (104°F). The extreme weather has contributed to multiple wildfires across southern Europe.

Firefighters are also battling major wildfires in France and Portugal, while thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes due to the growing fire threat.

In June, Spain recorded its highest daily average temperature since 1950. Some parts of the country were forecast to reach temperatures as high as 42°C (107.6°F).

Record Fire Seasons Raise Growing Concerns

According to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), a record 393,000 hectares (971,000 acres) burned in Spain last year. That figure was more than six times the country's average between 2006 and 2024.

Scientists say climate change is increasing temperatures worldwide, with Europe warming twice as fast as the global average, according to the Copernicus climate service.

The rising temperatures have led to more frequent summer heatwaves, greater pressure on water supplies, and increasingly severe wildfires across the continent.

Last year also became the European Union's worst wildfire season since records began in 2006, with more than one million hectares of land burned across EU countries.

A separate study by the World Weather Attribution group at Imperial College London linked the worsening wildfire season across the Mediterranean directly to climate change.

Experts warn that Europe is likely to face more frequent and more intense wildfires in the years ahead.

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