A devastating forest fire in southern Spain left at least 12 dead and 23 people unaccounted for, while hundreds of firefighters and soldiers continued work this Friday to control the flames and search for possible victims.

The fire started on Thursday in the vicinity of Los Gallardos, a town in the province of Almería, in Andalusia, in the southeast of the country. The area is located near the Mediterranean coast and receives numerous residents and foreign tourists during the summer.

The authorities described the episode as one of the fires with the worst consequences recorded in Andalusia. The balance remained provisional because several of the victims had yet to be identified and the search for people reported missing continued.

The victims were trying to escape the flames

Several people died trying to leave the area in vehicles or on foot. Four bodies were found in a burned-out car, and other victims appeared after trying to flee along roads not recommended by emergency services.

Authorities explained that some neighbors were instructed to stay inside their homes due to the proximity of the fire, while others were evacuated through corridors considered safe. However, the smoke, fear and the speed with which the flames advanced led several people to look for alternative exits.

Rescue teams were also investigating whether the missing could include hikers who were in rural or mountainous areas when the fire started.

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More than 3,000 hectares burned

The fire had devastated between 3,150 and 3,200 hectares, equivalent to about 7,900 acres. According to authorities, the flames advanced nearly 15 kilometers—more than nine miles—in just two hours, driven by wind, high temperatures and extremely dry vegetation.

About 500 troops participated in the operation, including forest firefighters, security forces, health personnel and members of the Military Emergency Unit. Specialized vehicles and air resources were also deployed.

At least 148 people remained relocated outside their homes while teams worked to close the perimeter of the fire and prevent further advances.

They investigate the possible fall of a power line

The first investigations pointed to the fall of a cable or electrical pole as a possible origin of the fire. However, the Endesa company indicated that the indicated line did not have electrical voltage, so the causes have yet to be officially determined.

The weather conditions complicated the extinction tasks. The arrival of stronger gusts of wind maintained concern about possible reactivations and made access to some sectors difficult.

Spain faces a high-risk season

The Almería fire occurs after several heat waves that dried out large areas of vegetation in Spain. About 57,000 hectares had already burned in the country during 2026, according to data from the European Forest Fire Information System cited by Reuters.

Authorities have asked residents and visitors to respect evacuation orders, not use alternative routes and only follow the information released by emergency services.

The government of Andalusia enabled the telephone number 677 904 624 to assist relatives of possible victims and people who had not yet been located.