A wildfire that broke out Thursday night in Los Gallardos, Almería, has killed at least 12 people, injured eight and left 23 missing. Authorities evacuated about 1,000 residents and set up shelters in Garrucha and nearby towns.
The fire, which has burned between 3,000 and 3,800 hectares, may have started from a fallen power cable near the N-340a road. Several victims tried to flee via alternative paths that became deadly traps, according to regional official Antonio Sanz.
Many evacuees, including British and Belgian nationals, spent the night in Garrucha’s sports center. Volunteers and Red Cross staff supplied water, food and psychological support while authorities searched for the missing.
Junta president Juanma Moreno requested central government help, which deployed the UME military unit. Experts cited heat, wind and dry vegetation as factors that sped up the blaze’s spread.
