Spain's deadly wildfires in Almeria claim 12 lives amid heat wave

A fast-moving wildfire in southern Spain's Almeria province has killed at least 12 people, left 23 people missing and forced evacuations as crews worked to contain the blaze during a severe heat wave.

Regional authorities said the fire spread rapidly near Los Gallardos and the Sierra de Los Filabres area, where steep terrain, dry vegetation and strong winds made the response more difficult. Reporting from Spanish and international outlets said the blaze burned roughly 3,200 hectares.

Officials warned that the death toll could rise as search teams continue to look for the missing and identify the dead. Some earlier reports put the missing-person count slightly lower, but the latest figures cited by authorities and covered by multiple outlets pointed to 23 people unaccounted for.

A deadly fire in difficult conditions

The wildfire broke out as Spain remained under intense heat, with wildfire risk elevated across the region. The combination of extreme temperatures, wind and dry fuel helped turn the fire into one of the deadliest in Andalusia in recent years.

About 1,000 residents were evacuated as the flames moved through rural communities and surrounding hills. Several reports also said at least eight people were injured, including some with serious burns, though injury totals varied across coverage.

The fire's speed and the area's terrain made evacuation and containment especially challenging. Reporting described roads and access routes in the area as difficult for both residents and emergency crews.

Officials investigate the cause

Authorities are investigating whether a fallen or damaged electrical cable, or power line, may have triggered the fire. The Guardia Civil is leading that inquiry, but officials have not reached a final conclusion.

El País reported that the area was under maximum fire risk when the blaze began. That has added urgency to the investigation, which will need to determine whether infrastructure failure, weather conditions or some other factor set off the disaster.

Response from regional and national leaders

Andalusian and national officials expressed condolences as emergency services and firefighting crews continued work on the ground. Regional president Juan Manuel Moreno and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez both responded publicly to the disaster.

The Spanish emergency services and the military emergency unit were among the forces involved in response efforts, which focused on protecting nearby towns, securing the perimeter and searching for the missing.

Authorities have also activated psychological support for affected families, according to local reporting.

What happens next

The most immediate priorities are finding the missing, identifying the dead and keeping the fire from spreading further. Officials are also watching for any change in the casualty count as search and recovery efforts continue.

The investigation into the ignition source remains open, and the final cause has not been established. For now, the fire stands as one of Spain's worst recent wildfires and one of the deadliest ever recorded in Andalusia.