Twelve dead in Almeria wildfire: Residents facing grave danger as wind fuels flames

Residents living near Los Gallardos endured a night of terror when a wildfire broke out on Thursday afternoon and killed at least twelve people. Flames spread with alarming speed, overtaking vehicles and forcing a large-scale evacuation of several villages. Firefighters on the ground have stressed the grave danger to anyone still in the area and ordered immediate departure.

Death toll rises to twelve

Emergency services confirmed at least eleven deaths on Friday morning. Minister Antonio Sanz announced the updated figure after the toll doubled from the initial six. Some victims were found in vehicles overtaken by flames. Identities remain unknown, and the exact circumstances of the deaths are still under investigation.

Three seriously injured

Medical teams treated three people with serious injuries. A man and a woman both suffered burns while another person had smoke inhalation. All three went to Torrecardenas Hospital in Almeria. Four more people received onsite treatment for breathing problems and minor burns.

El incendio declarado en Los Gallardos se está acercando a Antas (Almería). Es desolador ver cómo arrasa todo el monte. Además, han tenido que desalojar a más de 50 vecinos.

Ánimo a todos y mucha fuerza. Los bomberos forestales están luchando por apagarlo, estamos en las… pic.twitter.com/EIp8d2Uexm

— Rodrigo Alonso ﻥ 🇪🇸 (@Rodrigo_AlonsoF) July 9, 2026

Mass evacuations clear villages

Mass evacuations emptied several communities in the Levante area. People left the Almocaizar neighbourhood, Fuente del Albarico, Los Pinos, La Serena, Pinar de Bedar and a tourist complex. The Bedar evacuation faced major problems when fire blocked the main road out. Many went to Lubrin, where the council and locals sheltered and supplied nearly one hundred people. Fifty-four others currently stay in the Centre of Scenic Arts in Los Gallardos with support from emergency teams and Red Cross volunteers.

Roads closed to traffic

Fire and smoke forced the closure of two important routes. The A-7 motorway remains closed in one direction between kilometres 709 and 714. N-340 A national road stays shut near the fire. Motorists must avoid the area and obey all official instructions.

Fire began after power cable fell

Fire started at kilometre 511 on the N-340A. The 112 service received more than 150 calls reporting the outbreak. Witnesses described a fallen power cable igniting flames that spread rapidly into the forest. Dry esparto fields in the area helped the fire grow fast into a disaster without recent precedent for the province.

🔴 Elevamos el @Plan_INFOCA en #Almería a fase de emergencia, situación operativa 2, ante la evolución y el potencial del #IFLosGallardos

Trabajan ya 150 efectivos de EMA Infoca apoyados por 5 vehículos autobombas

Pedimos máxima prudencia a la población:

🚫 Evita la zona
👮‍♂️… pic.twitter.com/HzKaUVsniR

— Antonio Sanz Cabello (@antoniosanz) July 9, 2026

Emergency phase declared for Infoca.

Officials placed the Infoca plan into emergency phase under operational situation 1. Minister Sanz shared the news on X with a video showing the powerful flames. Infoca published images of the fire’s scale and the hard conditions for crews fighting it. Wind gusts up to 70 kilometres per hour keep making extinction work difficult in the dry terrain.

Military deployment underway

Military Emergency Unit teams will join the operation soon. One hundred fifty forest workers currently fight the fire with five fire engines, medical support, meteorology and command units. More military help arrives in the next hours to assist Infoca and local firefighters.

Sanz expresses pain and calls for caution

Sanz said finding words for the pain proved difficult and called on the public for maximum prudence. He told residents to avoid affected areas and not to use routes without official coordination. Saving lives remains the top priority. “There are no words for so much pain. This is terrible news, and today the heart of all Andalusians is in mourning,” he added.

Regional president Juanma Moreno sent deep sorrow to the families of the dead and support to affected towns. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez conveyed condolences to relatives and shared his great sadness over the consequences. He wished the injured a fast recovery and showed solidarity with local people. Teams from national ministries and security forces work to fight the flames. UME has mobilised, and Sanchez asked everyone to take great care.