A wildfire near the hamlet of Bédar in southern Spain has killed twelve people, some of them trapped in vehicles as flames cut off escape routes, in what regional authorities have described as the deadliest blaze in Andalusia’s recent history.
Twelve people died late Thursday when a wildfire swept through the hamlet of Bédar, near Almería in southern Spain, regional authorities confirmed, with several victims found trapped inside vehicles after flames cut off their escape routes. Around 150 firefighters battled the blaze as it broke out amid soaring temperatures, while Andalusian officials described the fire as the deadliest wildfire in the region’s recent history, cautioning that the death toll could still be revised as search operations continue.
Trapped in Cars as Flames Blocked the Way Out
Witnesses have told authorities the fire may have started after a fallen power line ignited dry vegetation, which then spread rapidly into surrounding woodland. As the flames advanced, the main road serving Bédar became impassable after fire crossed the carriageway, forcing officials to redirect evacuees onto alternative routes. It was in these conditions that several victims became trapped inside their vehicles while trying to flee. Authorities have not yet confirmed the official cause of the fire.
At least six people were injured, including one woman who suffered burns and another person treated for smoke inhalation, both of whom were taken to hospital. Four further people were treated at the scene for minor burns and respiratory problems caused by heavy smoke.
Evacuations and Emergency Response
Roads were closed and residents evacuated as the fire spread, with around 50 people housed in a local cultural centre and a further 80 to 100 evacuees temporarily accommodated in nearby Lubrín, where local authorities, volunteers and the Red Cross provided food, water and shelter. Major transport links, including sections of the A-7 motorway and the N-340A, were also closed because of the fire and the firefighting operations underway.
Given the scale of the emergency, authorities raised the response level and triggered the deployment of Spain’s Military Emergency Unit (UME), which is used in major national emergencies and was expected to join firefighting efforts in the hours that followed.
Regional Leader Voices Grief
Juanma Moreno, head of the regional government of Andalusia, expressed his condolences to the families of those killed, describing the fire as “a tragedy.” Writing on X, he said: “Our hearts are heavy and we are devastated by grief.”
Part of a Wider Pattern of Extreme Heat
The wildfire comes as Spain endures a heatwave that has triggered orange weather warnings, the second-highest alert level, across parts of Andalusia in recent days. In May, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Spain would deploy its largest-ever summer wildfire response this year, as the country continues to face increasingly frequent and prolonged heatwaves, with temperatures often exceeding 40C creating conditions ripe for major fires.
According to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), more than 393,000 hectares (971,000 acres) burned across Spain in 2025, making it the country’s worst wildfire year in recent history — a record that underscores the scale of the challenge facing authorities as this year’s fire season continues.
