Spain Wildfire Fatalities
Deadly Wildfire in Southern Spain Kills Twelve as Heatwave Grips Europe
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A wildfire in southern Spain has killed at least 12 people, burning through a remote expat community in Almeria province on Friday. Denver7 reported the blaze is one of the deadliest wildfires in Spain's history, with 23 people still missing and the death toll expected to rise.
The fire broke out late Thursday near the Sierra de Los Filabres mountains, a semi-arid region in Andalusia. By Friday afternoon, it had consumed more than 7,900 acres of forest and farmland, according to News5Cleveland. Eight people were also injured in the blaze.
Victims Ignored Shelter-in-Place Orders Before Dying
Most of the 12 victims died after ignoring instructions to stay indoors and shelter in place, according to Antonio Sanz, head of Andalusia's emergency services. WTXL reported that the majority of those killed were foreigners living in the expat community. Four British nationals are believed to be among the dead.
Emergency crews were still working Friday to locate 23 people listed as missing. The fast-moving blaze gave residents little time to escape. Officials have not said whether the missing are believed to be trapped, evacuated, or dead.
Fire Ignites in Spain's Dry, Remote South
The fire started late Thursday in a sparsely populated stretch of Almeria province, near the Sierra de Los Filabres mountains. The area is known for its dry, semi-arid landscape, which makes it highly vulnerable to wildfires. 10News noted the region is home to a large community of foreign expatriates.
Firefighters were battling the blaze as of Friday afternoon with no full containment reported. The fire had scorched over 7,900 acres by that point, destroying both forest and farmland in the surrounding area.
Europe's Heat Wave Fans the Flames Across the Region
The wildfire is unfolding during a brutal European heat wave. Temperatures across western and central Spain reached 104°F on Friday. Even Paris saw temperatures climb to around 98°F, according to NewsChannel5.
Spain has faced increasingly frequent and intense heat waves in recent years. Experts link the trend to climate change, which raises baseline temperatures and dries out vegetation — creating ideal conditions for fast-spreading wildfires like the one now burning in Almeria.
Spain Has Battled a String of Deadly Wildfires
The Almeria fire is among the worst Spain has seen in recent memory. WCPO reported the blaze ranks as one of the country's deadliest wildfires on record. Spain has struggled in recent summers with fires driven by heat, drought, and high winds.
The combination of an aging rural population, remote expat settlements, and extreme heat creates a dangerous mix for fire response. Friday's death toll — and the large number still missing — suggests emergency services were quickly overwhelmed by the speed and scale of the blaze.
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