Deadly forest fire in Almería claims at least 12 lives

A devastating forest fire near Los Gallardos in Almería has claimed at least 12 lives, with 23 individuals still unaccounted for. The blaze, which began Friday, is suspected to have been sparked by a fallen electrical cable in Almocaizar, near the N-340a road. From there, it rapidly spread north and northeast towards the municipality of Bédar.

The affected area is characterized by steep terrain, scattered houses, and a significant population of foreign residents. Adverse weather conditions, including temperatures reaching 40°C (104°F) and strong winds, contributed to the fire's extraordinary speed, according to the Andalusian Minister of Emergencies, Antonio Sanz. The rugged topography, with numerous ravines and dispersed dwellings within the forest area, further complicated firefighting efforts.

Authorities suspect the deceased are foreign nationals. This fire is already among the deadliest recorded in Spain, potentially surpassing the 1979 Lloret del Mar tragedy where 21 people died. However, the total area burned is approximately 3,150 hectares, which is not exceptionally large compared to other major Spanish wildfires.

The fire season has started intensely across Spain. As of July 10, 2026, there have been 314 fires exceeding 30 hectares, nearly double the usual number for this time of year. While the total area burned (around 57,000 hectares) is above the average, it is not yet at the extreme levels seen in previous years like 2022. The recent heatwave has accelerated the fire's spread, with a significant portion of the year's burned area occurring in the last seven days. This pattern mirrors a broader European trend, with the EU having already experienced 160,000 hectares burned, exceeding the decade's average.

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The fire has advanced with extraordinary speed.