Lorraine Williamson
At least 12 people have died in the devastating wildfire near Los Gallardos in Almería, while emergency teams continue searching for 23 people whose whereabouts have yet to be confirmed.
The fire evolved “relatively well” overnight, according to the Plan Infoca firefighting service, but remains out of control after burning thousands of hectares and forcing more than 1,400 people from their homes and holiday accommodation.
Eight people have also been injured, four of them seriously.
Around 500 emergency personnel remained deployed through the night, with aircraft due to rejoin the operation after daybreak on Saturday. Crews are concentrating on difficult terrain around Los Gallardos and Bédar, where the western section of the fire continues to cause particular concern.
Search continues for missing residents and visitors
The number of people described as missing or unaccounted for has changed repeatedly since the scale of the disaster became clear.
The latest official balance lists 23 people as not yet located. However, the Guardia Civil had received seven formal missing-person reports by Friday evening, after relatives and friends were asked to provide information at a dedicated office established for the investigation.
That does not necessarily mean only seven people remain missing. The broader figure includes people whose location has not yet been confirmed by the authorities.
Post-mortem examinations have now been completed on all 12 people known to have died. Work is continuing to identify the victims and notify their families formally.
Four of those who died after becoming trapped inside a right-hand-drive vehicle are believed to have been British nationals. However, their identities and nationalities had not yet been formally confirmed. Officials said one of the 12 victims was Spanish, while many of the others were thought to be foreign residents or visitors, potentially including British and Belgian citizens. Formal identification work remains under way.
Several of the victims were reportedly found inside vehicles near an access route to Bédar after apparently attempting to escape through a dry riverbed or alternative rural tracks as the flames advanced.
Authorities have repeatedly stressed the importance of following official evacuation routes and instructions during wildfires, as minor roads, tracks and ravines can quickly become surrounded by fire or blocked by smoke.
More than 1,400 people evacuated
A total of 1,405 people had been evacuated by Saturday morning from Los Gallardos, Bédar and surrounding communities, including rural homes, residential developments and tourist accommodation.
The fire had affected approximately 4,000 hectares according to the latest official estimate, although some preliminary assessments placed the burned area closer to 5,000 hectares.
The Unidad Militar de Emergencias has deployed more than 200 personnel and around 70 vehicles, working alongside Plan Infoca, firefighters, Guardia Civil officers, health workers, civil protection volunteers and local police.
The blaze spread with extraordinary speed after beginning close to the N-340A on Thursday. Strong winds, high temperatures, extremely dry vegetation and the mountainous landscape allowed the flames to travel several kilometres in a short period.
The fire also forced the closure of roads, including sections of the A-7, as emergency services worked to protect nearby towns and prevent vehicles from entering dangerous areas.
Electrical cable investigated as possible cause
The Guardia Civil is investigating whether the fire began after an electrical cable or pole fell close to the roadside near Los Gallardos.
Witnesses reportedly saw a cable fall shortly before flames appeared on both sides of the road. The fire was initially treated as a roadside blaze before being driven rapidly towards populated and mountainous areas by strong winds.
The ownership and condition of the electrical installation remain under investigation. Both Endesa and Red Eléctrica have reportedly said the cable did not belong to them, while reports suggest the installation may have been privately owned and disconnected for several years.
No final conclusion has been reached, and officials have said responsibility will be determined once the investigation is complete.
Three days of mourning across Andalucía
The president of the Junta de Andalucía, Juan Manuel Moreno, has declared three days of official mourning for those who died.
Flags will be flown at half-mast on public buildings, while institutions and municipalities across Spain have announced minutes of silence and messages of solidarity with the victims, their families and the emergency personnel working at the scene.
The priority on Saturday remains locating the missing, identifying those who died and preventing the flames from advancing further.
Officials have warned that the situation remains serious despite the comparatively favourable overnight evolution. Evacuated residents should not attempt to return until permission is given by the emergency authorities.
Further updates are expected during the morning as aerial firefighting operations resume and teams assess the fire’s perimeter in daylight.