Twelve die in wildfire in Spain as heatwave continues in southern Europe
BBC • • world
Key Points:
- At least 12 people have died and six injured in a wildfire in Los Gallardos, Almería, with some victims found inside vehicles engulfed by flames; the cause is suspected to be a downed power line but not yet confirmed by authorities.
- Around 150 firefighters are battling the fire in the hamlet of Bedar, with about 1,000 residents evacuated and road closures in place due to the blaze.
- The regional government and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez have expressed grief and highlighted Spain's largest-ever summer wildfire response amid record high temperatures and severe fire conditions.
- Spain experienced its highest daily average temperatures since 1950 in June, with forecasts reaching up to 42°C (107.6°F), contributing to extreme wildfire risk exacerbated by climate change.
- Last year, Spain saw a record 393,000 hectares burned, and the EU experienced its worst wildfire season on record, with over one million hectares affected, driven by rapidly warming temperatures in Europe.
