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Wildfire in Southern Spain Kills 11, Leaves 19 Missing
🇵🇦 Panama /Disasters & Emergencies

Wildfire in Southern Spain Kills 11, Leaves 19 Missing

From TVN Panamá · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • A fast-moving wildfire in Almería, southern Spain, has killed at least 11 people and left 19 missing.
  • The blaze, which spread rapidly through a difficult-to-access area with ravines and scattered homes, trapped residents attempting to flee.
  • Authorities are investigating the cause and confirming the identities of the victims, many of whom are suspected to be foreign nationals.

A devastating wildfire in Spain's southern province of Almería has claimed at least 11 lives, with 19 people still unaccounted for. The blaze, described as a "tragedy" by regional officials, spread with alarming speed through the Los Gallardos area on Thursday. This region, characterized by its challenging terrain of ravines and dispersed housing amidst forests, became a "death trap" for many residents attempting to escape the flames.

In this moment we count 11 deceased.

— Antonio SanzThe Andalusian counselor of Emergencies, Antonio Sanz, provided the provisional death toll from the wildfire scene.

Regional emergency counselor Antonio Sanz confirmed the provisional death toll of 11 at the scene, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the disaster. Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla, president of the Andalusian regional government, stated that 19 individuals remain "unlocated." The fire, which continues to rage out of control, has already consumed over 3,150 hectares and is considered one of Spain's most destructive in recent history. It has also injured eight people, four of them critically.

We are facing a situation that we can only describe as a tragedy.

— Antonio SanzThe Andalusian counselor of Emergencies, Antonio Sanz, described the impact of the wildfire.

Initial investigations suggest a grim scenario for the victims. Four bodies were found inside a vehicle with the steering wheel on the right, leading to speculation that they might be British tourists. Seven others apparently tried to flee on foot through steep paths but were overcome by the fire. The mayor of Bédar, Ángel Francisco Collado, expressed sorrow over the deaths, noting that some residents chose not to heed evacuation warnings.

19 people remain unlocated.

— Juan Manuel Moreno BonillaThe president of the Junta de Andalucía, Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla, stated the number of missing persons.

Officials stressed the critical importance of following emergency instructions. "These are not recommendations, they are instructions," Sanz stated. "If authorities indicate that evacuation is necessary and tell you how to evacuate, it is key." Over 400 personnel, including firefighters, air support, and the Military Emergencies Unit (UME), are engaged in extinguishing efforts, battling complex conditions due to the difficult terrain.

This mountainous area, located a few kilometers from the Mediterranean coast, became a kind of rat trap.

— Juan Manuel Moreno BonillaThe president of the Junta de Andalucía, Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla, described how the terrain trapped residents.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by TVN Panamá in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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