Twelve people died in a wildfire that broke out late Thursday near Almería in the Andalusia region of southern Spain, according to regional authorities, who noted that some victims were found inside their vehicles.

The Andalusian regional government said in a statement that 12 people were killed, adding that around 150 firefighters are battling the blaze, which broke out amid a sharp rise in temperatures.

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Wildfire

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed on X platform his 'deep sadness and immense pain over the severe consequences of the fire,' offering condolences to the victims' families. The fire also caused at least six injuries, including a woman with burns and another person suffering from smoke inhalation; both were taken to hospital.

Authorities sheltered around 50 people in a cultural center, and several roads were closed.

Vegetation Fire

Witnesses told authorities that a downed power line may have ignited dry vegetation, which then quickly spread to surrounding forests, but the cause has not been confirmed. Spain's Military Emergency Unit, which is called in for major emergencies, is expected to join firefighting efforts in the coming hours.

The president of the Andalusian regional government, Juanma Moreno, expressed condolences to the victims' families, calling the incident a 'tragedy'.

Heatwave

The fire comes as Spain suffers a heatwave, with high temperatures triggering warnings, some specifically for areas in Andalusia in recent days. Spain has experienced repeated heatwaves in recent years, with temperatures sometimes exceeding 40°C, creating favorable conditions for large wildfires. According to the European Forest Fire Information System, more than 393,000 hectares burned in Spain in 2025, making it the worst year for wildfires in the country's modern history.