Forest fire in Spain's Almeria kills 12, victims found in vehicles

Twelve people have died in a forest fire that broke out near Almeria in Spain's southern Andalusia region, authorities reported Thursday. Some of the victims were discovered inside their vehicles, and officials indicated the death toll could climb higher. The current toll already surpasses that of the entire previous year.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed "immense sadness" over the "tragic consequences of the fire affecting the province of Almeria." He extended condolences to the victims' families and urged emergency service workers to exercise "great caution." Spain, a nation on the front lines of climate change, has faced increasingly severe heatwaves in recent years, with temperatures frequently exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). These conditions create a fertile ground for large and destructive wildfires.

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immense sadness

In 2025, nearly 4 million acres were incinerated, according to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS). This figure marked the worst year on record in the country's modern history. That same year, over 8,000 fires claimed eight lives, injured 86 people, and forced more than 42,000 residents to evacuate their homes, the Interior Ministry stated.

Emergency services received over 150 calls from citizens. Initial reports suggested the fire began at kilometer 511 of the N-340A highway, possibly due to a fallen cable, and rapidly spread into a forested area. Around 150 firefighters with five vehicles worked through the night, and the UME, a Spanish army unit specializing in disaster response, is expected to deploy to the area. Approximately fifty residents were housed in a cultural center converted into a reception area for those affected by the fire, while many roads remained closed. Spain is currently experiencing another heatwave, with several areas in Andalusia on orange alert.

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great caution