Thirteen people have died following a series of intense wildfires in Spain’s Almería province that began on Thursday. Authorities are currently using DNA testing to identify victims, including several British nationals, as the regional government confirms the blaze is now contained after scorching 7,000 hectares.
Casualties and Identification Efforts in Almería
The death toll from the wildfires in southeastern Spain reached 13 on Sunday night following the death of a 93-year-old British woman in a local hospital. According to Reuters, the woman had been admitted to the emergency room on Friday with burns covering 20% of her body. Regional authorities are currently coordinating with forensic services to identify the victims, many of whom were found in the vicinity of the village of Bédar.
The identification process has proven difficult due to the severity of the burns sustained by many of the victims. Officials have established a protocol for families—including those located in Britain, France, and Belgium—to submit DNA samples in their countries of origin to assist in formally identifying the deceased. As of Monday, 10 formal reports of missing persons have been filed, though officials warn this number remains fluid.
Evacuation Challenges and Fatalities Near Los Gallardos
The fire moved with extreme speed, reaching rates of up to 100 meters per minute at its peak, which left many residents with little time to react. In some instances, victims were trapped in their vehicles while attempting to flee the path of the flames. Spanish authorities noted that some residents may not have heeded initial evacuation warnings, while others, such as a group of neighbors in the Los Gallardos area, were reportedly advised by their local mayor to shelter in place.
The personal toll has been significant for the expatriate community. One British man reportedly died while attempting to rescue his pets.
“He had got the cats and was trapped in the car. They were speaking together for the last few minutes. That was how it ended.”
Penelope Howe, friend of the victim
Government Response and Climate Context
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited the municipality of Turre on Monday to meet with emergency services, emphasizing the need for improved prevention measures. Sánchez stated that the country must move beyond reactive firefighting, noting that civil protection emergencies are becoming increasingly frequent
due to climate change. The wildfire is suspected to have been ignited by a broken power line, which quickly spread through vegetation parched by recent temperatures exceeding 40C.
“Here climate change is having a very big impact, and we are in a state of climate chaos with situations that are practically unheard of, exceptional and increasingly explosive.”
Juanma Moreno, President of the regional government of Andalucía
Moreno also urged the public to adopt a higher level of vigilance regarding suspicious attitudes
that could indicate arson, as the region has faced an average of 15 forest fires per day throughout the current heatwave.
Containment and Future Outlook
By Sunday afternoon, authorities confirmed the fire was contained and its perimeter secured. More than 1,000 residents have been given clearance to return to their homes. While the immediate threat has subsided, the focus for officials has shifted to cooling hot spots and completing the identification of the deceased. As of Monday, the government continues to work with international partners to process the remaining missing persons reports and provide support to the affected families.
Find more reporting in our Health section.
Worth a look
