Wildfire in Southern Spain Claims 12 Lives

Regional authorities in Andalusia announced on Friday that 12 people died in a wildfire on Thursday evening near the town of Bedar in Almeria province. The death toll was initially reported as six but later revised. Some victims were found in vehicles.

The fire broke out as temperatures reached around 40°C. Approximately 150 firefighters battled the blaze. At least six people were injured: a woman with burns and a man with smoke inhalation were taken to hospital, while four others with minor burns and breathing issues were treated at the scene.

The cause of the fire has not been confirmed. Eyewitnesses reported that a fallen power line may have ignited dry grass, with flames rapidly spreading to nearby forests.

Roads were closed and residents evacuated as a result of the fire. About 50 people were sheltered in a local cultural center. The Spanish army's emergency unit is expected to join firefighting efforts in the coming hours.

The wildfire comes amid a heatwave in Spain. Several areas in Andalusia are under an orange alert, the second-highest warning level. Spain has experienced more frequent and prolonged heatwaves in recent years, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C. In 2025, wildfires burned more than 393,000 hectares, the worst year in recent history.