At Least 12 Dead in Unprecedented Forest Fire in Southern Spain

Emergency services reported on the X platform that several victims were discovered inside their vehicles following a forest fire in southern Spain. The blaze began on Thursday afternoon in the municipality of Los Gallardos, located in Almería province about 300 kilometers northeast of Málaga.

Antonio Sanz, the regional Interior Minister, described the fire as an "unprecedented tragedy" and called it "the most destructive fire so far" in Andalusia. He expressed deep sorrow, stating, "The pain is immense. Andalusia is in mourning, and our hearts are with Almería and all those affected."

Approximately 150 firefighters, supported by five fire trucks and other emergency personnel, were engaged in combating the fire in Los Gallardos. Authorities evacuated residents from several local communities as a precautionary measure.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his profound sadness and grief over the devastating consequences of the fire in a post on the X platform.

Spain has been battling a series of forest fires in recent months. Since the beginning of the year, fires have consumed over 50,000 hectares of land, according to data from the European Forest Fire Information System of the European Commission.