ALMERIA, Spain — A fast-moving wildfire in southern Spain has killed at least 12 people, emergency authorities said, making it one of the country's deadliest wildfires in recent years as firefighters continued battling the blaze and searching for missing people.
The fire broke out near the municipality of Los Gallardos in Almeria province, in the southern Andalusia region, and spread rapidly through dry vegetation under strong winds, according to Andalusian emergency services. Officials said 23 people remained missing as of Saturday, while the death toll could change as search operations continued.
Andalusian emergency officials said many of the victims were found in or near vehicles after attempting to flee despite authorities' advice for residents in affected areas to shelter in place. Other victims were discovered on foot, and authorities said DNA testing would be required to identify some of the bodies because of the severity of the fire.
More than 150 firefighters, supported by soldiers and aerial resources, were deployed to contain the blaze, which officials described as difficult to control because of rugged terrain, strong winds and extremely dry conditions. Emergency services said evacuation and firefighting operations were continuing.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed condolences to the victims' families, while Andalusian regional leader Juanma Moreno described the wildfire as a tragedy for the region. Authorities said the cause of the fire remained under investigation, although early reports suggested it may have started after a power line fell. Utility company Endesa has disputed that account.
Spain has experienced an intense start to its 2026 wildfire season amid prolonged heat and dry weather. Emergency officials said efforts to extinguish the fire, identify victims and locate those still missing were continuing, and the situation remained fluid.
