Spain wildfire kills at least 11 as fast-moving blaze traps evacuees

A fast-moving wildfire in southern Spain has killed at least 11 people, left 19 missing and forced about 1,000 residents to evacuate, according to AP and Spanish regional reporting.

The blaze tore through Almeria province amid extreme heat and dry conditions, turning evacuation into a deadly scramble for residents and others caught in the fire’s path. Officials said the fire spread quickly enough to leave some people trapped on roads and footpaths.

Spanish reporting and AP said some victims were found in burned vehicles or after trying to flee on foot. Andalusian officials also said the dead appear to have used routes that were not part of the official evacuation plan.

The death toll has remained in flux as search operations continue. AP reported at least 11 deaths, while some Spanish and international outlets later cited 12 fatalities. The latest confirmed figure in the research packet places the missing count at 19.

What happened

The fire broke out in Almeria province and moved rapidly through the area. The conditions were especially dangerous because of the combination of heat, dryness and wind-driven spread described in the reporting.

Emergency crews were deployed to fight the blaze, and Spanish coverage said military support was also involved in the response. Officials described the fire as one of Andalusia’s deadliest wildfires.

The scale of the evacuation was significant for a rural and tourist-heavy part of southern Spain. About 1,000 residents were moved from the area as the fire advanced.

Eight people were injured, with some suffering serious burns, according to the Spanish reporting cited in the research packet. Authorities did not immediately give a final breakdown of who remained in hospital.

Cause under investigation

Authorities are examining whether a fallen power line or electrical cable triggered the fire. That theory has not been confirmed, and the cause remains under investigation.

El Pais reported that the Guardia Civil is looking into the cable-fall theory, while Red Electrica said the affected line was not part of its network. That leaves the ignition source unresolved for now.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed condolences after the deaths. Regional leaders in Andalusia continued to monitor the response as crews searched for the missing.

The most immediate questions are whether the missing people are later found alive or confirmed dead, whether the death toll rises beyond 11, and what investigators conclude about how the blaze started.