Spain fire: 12 dead, 23 missing; investigation into cause continues — key updates | Today’s news
One of Spain’s deadliest forest fires in recent years has killed at least 12 people and left 19 others missing after the fast-moving blaze swept through the Los Gallardos-Bédar area in the southern region of Andalusia. Authorities said many victims died after trying to flee instead of following official evacuation or shelter instructions.
Here’s what happened and the latest developments.
What happened?
The fire broke out near the villages of Los Gallardos and Bédar in the province of Almeria, a region popular with foreign tourists and expatriates. Fanned by high winds and extreme heat, the flames quickly spread across rugged, wooded terrain, engulfing roads and cutting off escape routes.
The fire has already burned more than 3,200 hectares (7,900 acres) of forest and farmland, making it one of Spain’s worst fires in recent years.
The death toll rises; most of the victims were believed to be foreigners
Authorities confirmed:
-12 people died, 23 are still missing.
-Ten dead are apparently foreign nationals, one confirmed Spaniard.
-Four suspected British citizens died in a right-hand drive vehicle.
-Several victims abandoned their vehicles and attempted to flee on foot before the flames caught up with them.
-Authorities are using DNA testing to identify many charred bodies.
The victims died while trying to escape
Emergency responders said authorities issued different safety instructions depending on the location of residents.
People living in the mountains above Los Gallardos were told to evacuate using a designated route.
Residents of nearby Bédar were instructed to shelter in place as officials believed it was safer to stay inside than attempt to escape through the fire.
But many residents panicked as thick smoke reduced visibility and flames approached homes. Several people chose alternative escape routes instead of those recommended by authorities.
One group tried to escape through a dry riverbed that became a “death trap” as the fire spread quickly, according to Andalusia emergency chief Antonio Sanz.
The cause of the fire is under investigation
The exact cause remains under investigation.
Witnesses said they saw a downed power line ignite dry vegetation, while regional authorities said a broken power cable may have started the fire. However, energy company Endesa disputed this explanation, saying the cable allegedly did not conduct electricity.
Rescue and firefighting efforts
Spain launched a major emergency response:
-Around 500 firefighters and military personnel were deployed.
-About 800 residents were evacuated and nearly 200 were placed in emergency shelters.
-Eight people were injured, four of them seriously.
-Firefighters continue to work to contain the fire as changing winds threaten to worsen conditions.
Read also | Europe’s latest heatwave: Spain reports 1,029 heat deaths
Why is Spain facing such terrible forest fires?
Spain is experiencing another intense heat wave, with temperatures approaching 40°C in some parts of the country.
-Heat waves at the beginning of the summer dried the vegetation weeks earlier than usual.
– More than 57,000 hectares have already burned this year.
-Last year, Spain experienced its worst forest fire season in a decade, destroying nearly 400,000 hectares.
Rising temperatures linked to climate change are increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, creating ideal conditions for large, fast-moving wildfires across southern Europe, scientists say.
Why is this fire significant?
The fire in Los Gallardos is already among the deadliest fires in Spain in recent years and has drawn comparisons to a fire in Portugal in 2017, when dozens of people died trying to escape in their vehicles.
PM offers condolences
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he was “deeply saddened and devastated” by the disaster and offered his condolences to the families of the victims as rescue operations continued.
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