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Regional authorities in Andalusia have confirmed that 12 people lost their lives in a wildfire that broke out in the Los Gallardos area of Almeria province, with six more individuals sustaining injuries. Some of the victims were discovered inside vehicles that had been overtaken by the flames, according to reports from the scene. Witnesses suggested a downed power line may have sparked the blaze although officials have stopped short of confirming the origin.
The head of the Andalusian regional government, Juanma Moreno, characterised the incident as a tragedy. “Our hearts are heavy and we are devastated by grief,” he stated on X following the updated death toll. Approximately 150 firefighters have been mobilised to combat the fire in the Bedar hamlet, supported by Spain’s Military Emergency Unit.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez had indicated in May that Spain would field its most extensive wildfire fighting operation of the summer season. The evacuations of around 1,000 residents and closures of local roads formed part of the immediate response to protect civilians and allow access for crews. One person was hospitalised with smoke inhalation while five others received treatment for burns and respiratory problems.
Data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service shows that fire danger levels have stayed above average across large parts of Europe during 2026, intensifying the risks posed by the current heatwave. According to the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, wildfires have scorched more than 118,000 hectares in the European Union since the beginning of the year. The service has also documented how the heat has affected air quality and agricultural output in addition to fuelling the outbreaks.
The World Weather Attribution initiative at Imperial College London has connected the rise in extreme heat events and associated wildfires to human-induced climate change, noting Europe’s position as the fastest-warming continent. Figures from the European Forest Fire Information System indicate that Spain saw 393,000 hectares consumed by fires last year, exceeding six times the typical annual total. Analysts project that such intense seasons will become more commonplace without significant shifts in global emissions trajectories.
Neighbouring countries including Portugal and France have likewise contended with major fires that have necessitated the evacuation of thousands and the assistance of hundreds of firefighters. In Greece, emergency teams have treated multiple personnel for heat-related injuries amid similar conditions. A broader assessment by fire services across the continent has tied the heatwave to more than 1,100 excess deaths in Spain during earlier peaks this summer.
