Los Gallardos wildfire kills 12, leaves 23 missing

A forest fire that broke out on July 9 2026 near Los Gallardos in the province of Almería, Andalusia, quickly spread across steep terrain and burned roughly 6,600 hectares. The blaze claimed at least twelve lives – most of the victims were foreign nationals, several identified as British and Belgian – and left eight people seriously injured. Twenty‑three residents remain unlocated.

Hundreds of firefighters, the regional Infoca unit, the national Unidad Militar de Emergencias and over 30 aerial assets (helicopters, fixed‑wing aircraft and drones) were deployed. Authorities reported up to 32 aircraft operating simultaneously at the height of the effort and used “fire‑against‑fire” tactics as humidity rose and winds subsided. The fire’s probable ignition point was a fallen high‑voltage cable near a road verge.

The regional government, led by Vice‑President Antonio Sanz and interior minister Fernando Grande‑Marlaska, coordinated evacuations of more than 1,400 people to shelters and hotels. By July 11, around 600 evacuees were allowed to return home as the perimeter stabilised. Identification of the deceased is ongoing, with DNA analysis being conducted. The national government pledged to cover the costs of the emergency response and temporary accommodation. Temperature extremes and prolonged drought, cited by justice minister Félix Bolaños, were highlighted as contributing factors, underscoring the growing threat of “sixth‑generation” wildfires in southern Europe.