Summary: Nearly 500 firefighters, backed by Spain’s Military Emergency Unit, have been deployed to contain the flames, which officials said have so far consumed about 3,200 hectares of land.

At least 12 people have died in a fast-spreading wildfire that swept through a tourist area in the Andalusia region of southern Spain, authorities announced yesterday (Friday), noting that several victims were found inside their cars and are believed to be foreign tourists.

Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said the victims are of different nationalities, without providing further details pending autopsy results. He added in a press conference held near the disaster site, 'We cannot jump to conclusions,' confirming that there are foreigners among the victims.

The death toll from the wildfire, already among the highest in modern Spanish history, could rise, as authorities announced that 23 people remain missing.

The fire, which broke out on Thursday in an area with many deep ravines, has consumed forests and vast areas of dry vegetation in Los Gayardos, Andalusia.

An unidentified man who was evacuated from the area told Atlas News that he saw 'gas cylinders exploding, houses catching fire, and windows shattering.' He added that some people 'survived miraculously.'

Andalusia regional government leader Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla announced that identifying the 12 victims will require DNA tests, because their bodies 'suffered severe burns that made identification impossible.' He added that 23 people remain missing, emphasizing that they may be unable to contact their families or may have sought shelter elsewhere. He continued, 'Therefore, we must be cautious and wait for more accurate information.'

Unusual speed

Spain is experiencing a heatwave that has created conditions favorable for wildfires to ignite and spread rapidly. Scientists say that human-caused climate change has made heatwaves longer, more frequent, and more intense.

Moreno explained that the fire is moving at 'unusual speed,' driven by winds nearing 50 km/h, covering 15 kilometers in just two hours.

Authorities said they asked residents of the village of Bedar, known for its white houses, to either follow the recommended evacuation route or stay in their homes, given the fire's proximity.

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Moreno said that some residents' failure to follow these recommendations 'may have led, in some cases, to tragic loss of life.'

Bedar is located about 15 kilometers from the Spanish coast on the Mediterranean Sea. It is frequented by many foreign residents and tourists seeking a quieter alternative to nearby beach resorts.

Most of the foreigners living in the village are 'elderly people who found a quiet refuge in this area,' in isolated places, according to Bedar parish priest Victor Fernandez, speaking to Cadena COPE radio. He added that when they were asked to evacuate, they may have thought they knew the best way to escape danger, but they were wrong.

Difficulty of access

Moreno said four of the victims were in a car with right-hand drive, suggesting it came from outside Spain. He told a local radio station, 'They appear to be British and died burned inside the car.'

Seven people died while trying to flee on foot, according to Bedar mayor Ángel Francisco Collado, speaking to journalists.

Spanish media reported that the 12th victim was on a bicycle, swept by the flames.

Officials reported eight injuries, four of them serious, while hundreds of residents were evacuated.

Nearly 500 firefighters, backed by Spain’s Military Emergency Unit, have been deployed to contain the flames, which officials said have so far consumed about 3,200 hectares of land.

Moreno suggested that it could take several days to bring the fire under control. He explained that 'the rugged terrain, with its steep slopes, made access to the area extremely difficult.'

French Press Agency correspondents saw firefighters battling the flames in the countryside, as clouds of white smoke rose.

Witnesses said the fire may have started due to a fallen power line igniting dry vegetation, but no official confirmation has been given.

On social media, many people posted messages seeking information about loved ones, such as Danielle Guillaume-Kirton, who is trying to find out the fate of her parents who lived in Bedar. She wrote, 'My mother sent me a text message yesterday at 6:53 PM telling me they were going to be evacuated.' She added that she has not heard from her parents since.

Spain is experiencing a severe heatwave, and the high temperatures have led to warnings, some specific to areas in Andalusia in recent days.

Repeated heatwaves in recent years have seen temperatures sometimes exceed 40°C, creating conditions favorable for massive wildfires.

According to the European Forest Fire Information System, more than 393,000 hectares have burned in Spain in 2025, making it the worst year for wildfires in the country's modern history.