A wildfire that broke out on July 10 in the municipality of Los Gallardos, in the province of Almería, has claimed the lives of 13 people, making it the deadliest forest fire in Spain in the 21st century. The latest victim, a 93-year-old British woman, died at the Hospital Universitario Torrecárdenas in Almería after suffering burns over 20 percent of her body and having serious pre-existing medical conditions. She had been admitted to the intensive care unit after being stabilized in the emergency department.
Authorities have identified six of the deceased so far. Among them are a Spanish citizen and his American wife, as well as two British nationals, one French citizen, and one Belgian citizen. The identification process is being handled by the Civil and Criminal Court number 3 of the Court of First Instance in Vera, Almería. The remaining victims are still being identified, and ten people remain missing. Seven people have been injured, three of whom are in serious condition at the Hospital Virgen del Rocío in Seville.
The fire, which started on Thursday, July 10, in the rural area of Los Gallardos, has been described as the most lethal wildfire in Spain since the beginning of the century. The blaze has burned through thousands of hectares of forest and agricultural land, forcing the evacuation of several nearby villages and causing widespread damage to property and infrastructure. Emergency services have been working around the clock to contain the flames, with support from the Spanish military's emergency response unit.
On Sunday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and the President of the Andalusian regional government, Juanma Moreno, visited the advanced command post in Turre to meet with emergency response coordinators and mayors of affected municipalities. Both leaders praised the coordination between national, regional, and local authorities and stressed the need to strengthen prevention measures against large-scale wildfires. Moreno stated that if weather conditions continue to be favorable, the fire could be declared under control later in the day.
The fire's perimeter has remained stable, with significantly reduced activity, according to Antonio Sanz, the First Vice President of the Andalusian government and Minister of the Presidency, Health, and Emergencies. Sanz expressed condolences to the family of the latest victim and confirmed the positive evolution of the firefighting efforts. However, he warned that vigilance must be maintained to achieve full control of the blaze.
The wildfire has highlighted the growing risk of extreme fire events in southern Europe, exacerbated by prolonged drought and high temperatures. Climate experts have pointed to the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires in the Mediterranean region as a consequence of climate change. The tragedy in Almería has prompted calls for more investment in fire prevention, early warning systems, and community preparedness.
Local residents and authorities have begun assessing the damage, which includes destroyed homes, farmland, and natural habitats. The economic impact is expected to be significant, particularly for the agricultural sector, which relies on the affected land. The Spanish government has pledged support for recovery efforts and compensation for those who have lost property or livelihoods.
The identification of the remaining victims continues, and forensic teams are working to confirm the identities of the missing. The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, with early reports suggesting it may have been sparked by human activity, though no official determination has been made. Authorities have urged the public to remain cautious and to report any suspicious activity that could lead to wildfires.