12 Killed, 23 Missing: Watch Deadly Spain Wildfire Ravages Almeria Amid Extreme Heat

In one of the deadliest forest fire in the recent years, Spain witnessed a massive fire in the southern province of Almeria, killed atleast 12 people overnight and several overs have been injured and about 23 others goes missing. The fire spread rapidly through forests and farmland forcing the residents to vacate the area.

Many Victims Died While Trying to Escape

According to local officials, the fire broke out in a rural area near the Sierra de Los Filabres mountains in Almeria, also is a popular tourist spot.

🇪🇸 The devastating wildfire in the Almería province of southeastern Spain has left at least 11 people dead, up to 8 injured, and 19 others missing

Multiple victims were discovered trapped inside burnt-out vehicles while trying to flee. pic.twitter.com/4oZbqweCqp

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) July 10, 2026

In one of the threatening view, several victims were burnt inside the vehicle, while others left their vehicles and ran on foot. Emergency officials said one group tried to flee through a dry riverbed but was quickly surrounded by flames, leaving them trapped. Officials also said that several of the victims are believed to be foreign nationals, including four British citizens, although formal identification is still underway.

VIDEO | A wildfire killed 12 people in Almeria in southern Spain as soaring temperatures gripped much of the country, Spanish authorities said Friday.

Several victims of the Los Gallardos fire were found inside burnt-out vehicles, local media reported. Some 150 firefighters were… pic.twitter.com/VzF73H70H2

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 10, 2026

Thousands of Hectares Destroyed

This fire has already burned more than 3,200 hectares of forest and farmland. The emergency unit is on the ground - 150 firefighters with 220 soldiers from Spain's military emergency unit to take the fire under control.

12 people killed, 23 missing in Los Gallardos, Spain wildfire; British tourists among the dead. - BNO pic.twitter.com/5fiwhr0Fmh

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) July 10, 2026

The reason of the fire has not been confirmed yet, however reports suggest that a fallen power line might have sparked the blaze and then the dry vegetation, strong winds and high temperatures. Investigators are examining the exact cause while emergency teams continue firefighting operations.

A devastating wildfire in Spains southern province of Almería has killed at least 12 people and left dozens missing amid a severe European heatwave. Many of the victims were tragically trapped in their vehicles or caught on foot while attempting to flee the fast-moving flames.… pic.twitter.com/oddAiHUEc2

— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) July 10, 2026

Spain Struggles Under Intense Heatwave

Heatwaves have been looming over Spain for several weeks, with the temperature crossing 40 degrees Celsius in several areas. No doubt the dry weather and hot winds made it a smooth surge of the blaze.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed grief over the tragedy, offering condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and praising emergency workers for risking their lives to control the fire.

Heatwave fire horror - At least 11 killed as flames race through Almeria in one of Spains deadliest wildfires on record pic.twitter.com/eKhTABZA9h

— Viory Video (@vioryvideo) July 10, 2026

Heatwaves are not just hurting Spain but France is also dealing with temperatures touching 40 degrees Celsius in several regions. Experts say that Europe is warming faster than any other continent in the world that surges the risk of fires in summer months.

Deadly Reminder of Past Fire Tragedies

This is not the first wildfires in recent years, Spain has experienced several other incidents destroying several hectares of land. Portugal also witnessed a deadly wildfire killing 66 people in 2017.