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Wildfires in southern Spain kill 12 amid soaring temperatures

From The Guardian · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Twelve people died in a wildfire in Almeria, southern Spain, amid soaring temperatures and dry conditions.
  • The fire injured at least six people, with authorities investigating a potential cause involving a fallen power line.
  • The incident occurs as Spain faces a severe heatwave, exacerbating wildfire risks across the region and globally.

A devastating wildfire in Almeria, southern Spain, has claimed the lives of twelve people, according to the regional government of Andalusia. The blaze broke out amid soaring temperatures and dry conditions, rapidly spreading through surrounding woodland. The regional government confirmed the rising death toll, stating that six more fatalities were confirmed in the hamlet of Bedar, bringing the total to twelve.

In addition to the fatalities, the fire injured at least six individuals. One woman suffered burns and another person was hospitalized for smoke inhalation. Four others received treatment at the scene for minor burns and respiratory issues caused by the heavy smoke. Authorities have not definitively confirmed the cause of the fire, but witness accounts suggest a fallen power line may have ignited dry vegetation, triggering the rapid spread.

The number of people who died in the fire in Los Gallardos has risen to 12 after the confirmation of six more deaths.

— Regional government of AndalusiaStatement confirming the death toll from the wildfire.

Roads were closed, and residents were evacuated as the fire raged, with approximately 50 people being housed in a local cultural center. Spain's military emergency unit has been deployed to assist in firefighting efforts. The head of the regional government, Juanma Moreno, expressed deep sorrow, calling the event "a tragedy" and stating, "Our hearts are heavy and we are devastated by grief."

The wildfire occurs as Spain grapples with a severe heatwave, with parts of Andalusia experiencing orange weather warnings. This extreme heat, combined with drought and strong winds, creates conditions ripe for major wildfires. Scientific evidence indicates that human-caused climate breakdown is increasing the likelihood and scale of fires in regions like southern Europe, the US, and Australia. Spain has seen increasingly frequent and prolonged heatwaves in recent years, contributing to its worst wildfire year on record in 2025, when over 393,000 hectares burned.

Our hearts are heavy and we are devastated by grief.

— Juanma MorenoHead of the regional government of Andalusia, expressing condolences.
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Originally published by The Guardian. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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