Overview
- A wildfire that raced through Bedar and Los Gallardos in Almería over several hours has been stabilised but left at least 12 people dead, roughly 1,448 people evacuated and thousands of hectares burned.
- Civil Guard and firefighting teams conducted difficult search operations and late in the effort heard faint cries that led to the rescue of two British hikers with severe burns now receiving specialist care.
- Forensic teams say catastrophic burn injuries have made identification hard, prompting DNA testing and consular involvement because several victims are believed to be foreign nationals, mainly British and Belgian.
- Relatives and survivors have publicly disputed official claims that clear shelter‑in‑place or evacuation warnings were given, and investigators are examining communications and whether a downed power line sparked the blaze while utilities deny responsibility.
- The fire occurred during an unusually early, intense heatwave that left vegetation tinder‑dry, straining regional firefighting resources and prompting cross‑border support as authorities complete searches and prepare to identify the dead.