Key facts
- At least 11 people have died in a wildfire in southern Spain.
- Nineteen people are currently missing.
- Most victims are believed to be foreign nationals who ignored evacuation orders.
- The fire is thought to have been started by a loose power cable during a heatwave.
- The blaze is one of the deadliest wildfires in Spain since 2005.
At least 11 people have died and 19 are missing in one of Spain's deadliest wildfires on record, with firefighters still battling to bring the blaze under control. The victims died while attempting to flee the wildfire in southern Spain, many in their vehicles, contrary to evacuation plans. Authorities stated that most of the victims appeared to be foreign nationals who ignored instructions to shelter in place and decided to flee in their cars.
The flames spread extremely rapidly in a wooded area around the town of Los Gallardos in Almeria province, a popular holiday destination. Four individuals, suspected to be British due to the right-hand side steering wheel of their car, died in one vehicle. Seven others were found dead after abandoning their cars and attempting to escape on foot along a route not part of the evacuation plan.
This incident occurs amid an early start to Spain's wildfire season, triggered by a series of summer heatwaves. So far this year, approximately 57,000 hectares have burned in Spain, accounting for 40% of all area burned in the European Union. The fire is believed to have started when a power cable came loose and fell on dry scrubland. The mayor of nearby Antas noted that wind caused the fire to spread rapidly, consuming farmhouses, holiday homes, and cars.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed his condolences, describing the situation as one of "enormous sadness and devastation." The death toll makes this wildfire the deadliest in Spain since 2005.