Deadly wildfire in Almeria province, Spain

A severe wildfire that began on July 9, 2026, near the Sierra de los Filabres mountains in Almeria, Spain, has resulted in 13 confirmed deaths and left 23 people missing. Initial reports suggested the blaze started due to a fallen electrical cable. Authorities evacuated approximately 1,500 people as the fire consumed roughly 66,000 hectares of land. While some sources initially reported 12 victims, the death toll rose after a 93-year-old British woman died in a hospital in Almeria. Many victims were foreigners who perished after attempting to flee by car instead of following local emergency instructions to shelter in place. Firefighting efforts transitioned from defensive to aggressive as conditions improved, and regional officials have since declared the blaze stabilized. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited the site to emphasize the necessity of climate change prevention and increased public awareness.