Twelve people have died in a wildfire in Almeria, southern Spain, as the country endures a severe heatwave. The regional government of Andalusia confirmed the deaths in the hamlet of Bedar, with six additional fatalities reported after an initial toll.
The blaze injured at least six people, including a woman with burns and another person suffering from smoke inhalation who was hospitalised. Four others received treatment at the scene for minor burns and respiratory issues. Authorities have not confirmed the cause, but witnesses suggested a fallen power line may have ignited dry vegetation, which spread rapidly through woodland.
Roads were closed and residents evacuated, with around 50 people sheltered in a cultural centre. Spain's military emergency unit is set to join firefighting efforts, which already involve about 150 firefighters. The head of Andalusia's regional government, Juanma Moreno, expressed condolences, calling it “a tragedy”.
The wildfire occurs as Spain faces a heatwave, with orange weather warnings issued across parts of Andalusia. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced in May that Spain would deploy its largest-ever summer wildfire response this year. Climate breakdown is increasing fire weather conditions globally, and Spain has experienced more frequent heatwaves, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C.
According to the European Forest Fire Information System, over 393,000 hectares burned in Spain in 2025, marking the country's worst wildfire year in recent history.
