In brief
In Bedar, Almeria, a wildfire has claimed at least twelve lives, with twenty‑three people still missing, among them multiple British nationals. Heatwaves and dry conditions ignited a fast‑spreading blaze accelerated by winds around the village. Falling power lines are suspected, though the local grid company denies responsibility. Emergency services and diplomatic offices are working to locate the missing, while officials warn that the death toll could rise as the fire’s impact deepens. The disaster highlights the increasing threat of large wildfires across Europe driven by climate change.
Firefighters are battling a raging wildfire in the village of Bedar, Almeria, after a heatwave reached 40°C (104°F) and winds whipped loose dry vegetation. The blaze has claimed at least twelve residents, including four Britons, and left twenty‑three people missing. Spanish authorities report that some victims may have not followed recommended evacuation routes, while the identities of the deceased and missing remain unclear.
The fire’s origin is believed to involve a fallen power line, though local electricity companies have denied responsibility. Official witnesses describe a scene where the smoke erupted like a mushroom and felt like a bomb had exploded. The victims were found in a burnt-out vehicle, with some pointing to the presence of a right‑hand steering wheel as evidence of British nationality.
Antonio Sanz, Andalusia’s health and emergencies minister, noted that most victims may have been foreign nationals, and the Belgian Foreign Minister said Belgian consular services are trying to locate missing Belgians in the area. Spanish emergency services continue to work to locate the missing, with conditions expected to improve as cooler air passes over the region.
Almeria’s wildfire ranks among Spain’s deadliest, surpassing the 1984 fire on La Gomera (20 deaths) and the 1979 forest fire near Lloret de Mar (21 deaths). Climate change is intensifying heatwaves, with Europe warming twice as fast as the global average, fueling more severe wildfires and straining water supplies. The disaster underscores the rising risk posed by extreme summer heat across the continent.
