Wildfire devastates southern Spain expat community, killing at least 12 with 23 missing

By — Suman Naishadham, Associated Press Suman Naishadham, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/wildfire-devastates-southern-spain-expat-community-killing-at-least-12-with-23-missing Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Wildfire devastates southern Spain expat community, killing at least 12 with 23 missing World Jul 10, 2026 4:09 PM EDT MADRID (AP) — A wildfire roared through a remote expat community in southern Spain overnight, killing at least 12 people as victims tried to flee the flames in cars and on foot, authorities said Friday. Eight people were injured and 23 missing, Andalusia's regional leader Juan Manuel Moreno said. The blaze, one of Spain's deadliest wildfires, broke out late Thursday in a semi-arid area near the Sierra de Los Filabres mountains in Almeria province, as the country has been dealing with soaring temperatures. READ MORE: Wildfires rage in Portugal, Greece and Spain while Greek authorities warn of toxic smoke Most of the victims died after ignoring shelter-in-place instructions, said Antonio Sanz, head of Andalusia's emergency services. Some tried to escape via a dry riverbed that "turned into a death trap," he said. Four victims were believed to be British nationals because the steering wheel of their burned-out car was on the right side, as with British vehicles, regional authorities said. Other unspecified nationals also were believed to be among the dead, and the death toll was expected to rise, authorities said. Seven people died while on foot after abandoning their cars, Sanz said, adding that most of the deceased were believed to be foreign nationals. Dean Taylor, a resident who divides his time between Spain and the U.K., said he managed to just barely escape the neighborhood by using back roads to get out. "It was quite terrifying," Taylor said in an interview with The Associated Press. "It's a very sad day, isn't it? It's devastating, really." The blaze is a challenge for firefighters The fire was still burning as of Friday afternoon. Some 150 firefighters and 220 soldiers from Spain's military emergency unit were battling the blaze, which had consumed more than 3,200 hectares (7,900 acres) of forest and farmland. Moreno, the Andalusian regional leader, said containing the fire was difficult because of the steep, dry terrain. "It consists mainly of scrubland and esparto grass," Moreno said. "Everything is extremely dry due to the heat waves, making it the perfect fuel; combined with the wind, it's a ticking time bomb." Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his condolences. "Immense sadness and desolation in the face of the terrible consequences of the fire affecting the province of Almeria," he wrote on X. Europe battles intense heat again Spain has battled frequent and severe heat waves in recent years, with temperatures often exceeding 40 C (104 F). Wind, high temperatures and little rainfall help small w