Lorraine Williamson
At least 11 people have died, and 19 remain unaccounted for after the Los Gallardos wildfire in Almería, as emergency teams continue work around one of the deadliest wildfire tragedies in Spain this century.
The fire, which broke out on Thursday afternoon in eastern Almería, has become one of the deadliest wildfire tragedies in Spain this century. Emergency teams are still working in difficult conditions around Los Gallardos, Bédar and surrounding rural settlements, where scattered homes, dry vegetation and strong winds have turned the blaze into a fast-moving emergency.
Andalucian president Juanma Moreno said on Friday morning that the fire had left at least 11 people dead, eight injured, four of them seriously, and 19 people still not located. He said he was on his way to Almería and described the consequences of the fire as “devastating”.
Victims found near Bédar
According to RTVE, Guardia Civil officers located three completely burnt-out vehicles, with one body inside each vehicle. A further eight bodies were found near an access road to Bédar, the mountain village north of Los Gallardos.
Authorities have not yet officially identified the victims. The priority on Friday morning is to confirm identities, locate the 19 people still unaccounted for and assist relatives trying to find loved ones.
Eight injured, four seriously
At least eight people have been injured, four of them seriously. The latest update given by Antonio Sanz, Andalucia’s regional minister for Presidency, Health and Emergencies, confirmed the provisional toll of 11 dead and eight injured at around 7.00 am on Friday. An earlier update issued overnight had put the number of deaths at 12.
Emergency psychological support has also been activated. A telephone number, 677 904 624, has been made available for relatives and people affected by the Los Gallardos fire.
Hundreds evacuated as fire spread
The fire forced the evacuation of several population centres and rural areas, including communities around Bédar. Many homes in this part of inland Almería are spread across hillsides and tracks, making evacuation and emergency access more complicated.
Around 1,000 people were moved as a precaution during the height of the emergency, although the latest official update from Antonio Sanz said 148 people remained rehoused on Friday morning. Those affected include residents from Bédar and nearby rural settlements, where scattered homes, narrow access routes and fast-changing winds complicated the evacuation.
Emergency level raised overnight
The Junta de Andalucía raised the Plan Infoca emergency phase to situación operativa 2 at 10.37 pm on Thursday because of the scale and potential danger of the fire. This level allows wider coordination of emergency resources when a wildfire threatens people, homes, infrastructure or requires reinforcement beyond the standard regional response.
The Military Emergency Unit, UME, has also been deployed to support firefighting and emergency work. RTVE reported that UME personnel were mobilised to join the operation alongside Infoca crews and other emergency services.
Sánchez and Junta send condolences as emergency response continues
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said he felt “enormous sadness and devastation” over the consequences of the wildfire affecting Almería province. He sent condolences to the families of those who died in the Los Gallardos fire, wished the injured a swift recovery and expressed solidarity with all residents affected. Sánchez said teams from MITECO, Civil Protection, the State Security Forces and the UME were working to combat the flames.
Andalucian president Juanma Moreno said he was travelling to Almería after what he described as the devastating consequences of the Los Gallardos fire. He confirmed that 19 people remained unaccounted for, at least 11 had died, and eight were injured, four seriously. Moreno said all services were focused on supporting those affected while emergency teams worked to contain the fire as quickly as possible.
Antonio Sanz expressed his condolences to the families of the 11 victims and thanked Plan Infoca, health workers, Guardia Civil, firefighters, security forces, local councils, the UME and all professionals involved in the emergency response.
The UME said 220 military personnel and 70 resources from its Second Intervention Battalion were taking part in the Los Gallardos operation, including direct work on the fire front to contain its advance. Authorities continue to urge maximum caution and have asked residents to follow official instructions at all times.
Possible cause under investigation
The fire was first reported at around 4.35 pm on Thursday. Guardia Civil sources cited by Spanish media say the blaze may have started after an electricity cable fell near the N-340A, but the cause remains under investigation.
Dry vegetation, heat and changing winds appear to have helped the flames spread rapidly towards the Sierra de Bédar area. Some roads, including sections of the N-340A and A-7, were affected during the emergency.
Andalucía in mourning
Antonio Sanz described the Los Gallardos fire as a tragedy without precedent in Andalucía and said the final toll may still change as teams continue their work on the ground.
The disaster comes during a period of intense heat and high wildfire risk across Spain. Fire services have repeatedly warned that rural and mountain areas can become dangerous very quickly when dry vegetation, wind and difficult access routes combine.
What residents should do now
Residents and visitors in the affected area should follow only official instructions from 112 Andalucía, Plan Infoca, Guardia Civil, local councils and road authorities. Anyone with relatives who may have been affected can call the emergency support number 677 904 624.
Drivers should avoid the area unless absolutely necessary and check live traffic conditions before travelling through eastern Almería. The situation remains active and may change during the day as search, identification and firefighting work continues.