At least 12 people have died in a fast-moving wildfire near Los Gallardos in Almería province, after flames swept through rural hamlets and trapped victims in their vehicles. Around a thousand residents have been evacuated from several settlements, with dozens sheltering in a local arts centre and in the neighbouring town of Lubrín. Seven others were injured, including a woman hospitalised with burns.
The blaze was sparked by a fallen power line along the N-340a road, with wind gusts reaching 70 km/h complicating firefighting efforts. Some 150 Infoca firefighters and 150 Military Emergency Unit troops are battling the flames. Regional emergency officials declared a level-two emergency and called the disaster an "unprecedented tragedy".
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed condolences, while regional president Juanma Moreno conveyed his "deep sorrow" to victims' families. The A-7 motorway has partially reopened, though local roads remain closed. A family assistance hotline has been activated.