A picture taken on July 10, 2026 shows fire close to a house in the area of a wildfire that killed 11 near Bedar, in Los Gallardos district, in Almeria Province. Photo: Jose Jordan / AFP / Lehtikuva
International news
At least 12 people have died and 23 remain missing after a fast-moving wildfire tore through southern Spain, trapping residents and visitors as flames spread across dry hillsides in Almería province.
Authorities said many of the victims were foreign nationals who were caught while trying to escape the fire near the village of Bédar, close to Los Gallardos. Four people remain in hospital with serious injuries and hundreds of emergency personnel continue to search for the missing while working to contain the blaze.
The fire broke out on Thursday afternoon in Andalusia during Spain's second heatwave of the summer. Strong winds and dry vegetation allowed the flames to spread across more than 3,000 hectares within hours.
