Key facts
- At least 12 people died in a wildfire in Los Gallardos, Almería, Spain.
- Six people were injured, including one hospitalized for smoke inhalation and another with burns.
- Approximately 1,000 residents were evacuated from the affected area.
- Southern Europe is experiencing a heatwave with temperatures around 40C (104F), contributing to wildfires.
- Authorities have not confirmed the cause of the wildfire, but witnesses suggest a downed power line may have been responsible.
At least 12 people have died in a wildfire in Los Gallardos, in the southeastern Spanish province of Almería, according to the Andalusian regional government. Six others were injured, with some victims found inside vehicles engulfed by flames. The fire spread rapidly to a nearby wooded area, and authorities have not yet confirmed its cause, though witnesses suggest a downed power line may have been responsible.
Hundreds of firefighters are battling significant incidents across southern Europe, including in France, Portugal, and Spain, as a sustained heatwave brings temperatures of around 40C (104F). In Los Gallardos, approximately 1,000 residents were evacuated, and roads were closed. The head of the regional government, Juanma Moreno, described the deaths as a "tragedy."
Experts warn that climate change is driving more frequent and severe heatwaves and wildfires across Europe, with the continent warming at twice the global average.