UNIPA News Desk|| Barcelona 10 July-At least 12 people were killed after a major wildfire swept through the municipalities of Los Gallardos and Bedar in Spain’s southern Andalusia region on Thursday, local emergency authorities said.
According to Andalusia’s 112 Emergency Service, the fire broke out at approximately 5:00 p.m. local time in Los Gallardos, located in Almeria province. Fueled by high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds, the blaze spread rapidly into the neighboring municipality of Bedar, prompting large-scale emergency response measures.
The Andalusian regional government activated Level 1 of the Andalusian Forest Fire Emergency Plan (Plan INFOCA), ordered the evacuation of Bedar and several nearby communities, and temporarily closed sections of the A-7 motorway and the N-340A road to facilitate firefighting operations and ensure public safety.
Authorities said several of the victims were found inside vehicles that had been overtaken by the advancing flames, highlighting the speed and intensity of the wildfire.
Firefighting efforts continued overnight, with Plan INFOCA deploying ground crews, fixed-wing aircraft, and helicopters in an effort to contain the blaze and prevent its further spread.
Judicial authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the wildfire and formally identify the victims. Emergency services remain on high alert as suppression operations continue and authorities assess the extent of the damage.
