At least 12 dead as wildfire in Los Gallardos forces mass evacuations in Almería

A fast-moving wildfire near Los Gallardos in Almería has killed at least 12 people, left 23 missing and forced about 1,150 evacuations, according to the latest reporting and officials cited by major outlets.

The fire has burned roughly 3,200 to 4,000 hectares, depending on the update time and outlet. It remained active on multiple fronts in the latest coverage, with crews still working to contain it.

Rapid spread and casualties

Authorities said the blaze moved quickly through strong winds, steep terrain and a rural area dotted with scattered homes and roads. Those conditions made evacuation and rescue more difficult as the fire advanced.

Reporting from AP and El País said some victims died while trying to flee, including people found in vehicles and others who attempted to escape on foot. Officials have not completed identification of all the dead and missing.

The latest confirmed toll also includes eight injured people, four of them in serious condition. The casualty count changed during the day as crews and investigators updated the figures.

Evacuations and emergency response

About 1,150 people were evacuated from the affected area, which includes small settlements and rural properties around Los Gallardos. Officials said the rapid spread left little time to react once the fire intensified.

Andalusian authorities declared three days of mourning after the deaths were confirmed. Emergency services, including the Guardia Civil and the UME, were deployed as crews worked to protect residents and contain the fire.

Cause under investigation

Investigators are examining whether the blaze began after a cable or electrical line fell near the fire area. One report said officials are looking into a downed cable as the likely trigger, while utilities have disputed ownership of the line in question.

That possible cause remains unconfirmed. Authorities have not said the investigation is complete, and a final determination could matter for liability questions if electrical infrastructure is found to have started the fire.

What remains unknown

Crews are still working to control the remaining active fronts, while officials continue searching for the missing and identifying the dead. The final death toll could still rise if more missing people are found dead.

The burned area may also change as containment improves and mapping becomes more precise. For now, the fire remains a live emergency in one of the hardest-hit parts of southern Spain.