12 people died in a fire in Spain where the heat wave continued in southern Europe

At least 12 people have died and six others have been injured in a wildfire in Los Gallardos in the southeastern state of Almeria.

Some of the victims were found in vehicles that were engulfed in flames. According to eyewitnesses, the fire was caused by a downed power line and the fire quickly spread to the nearby forest. Authorities have not determined the cause of the fire.

A persistent heat wave with temperatures of around 40C (104F) has fueled wildfires in southern Europe.

Hundreds of firefighters are battling major blazes in France, Portugal and Spain, and thousands have been forced to evacuate their homes.

“The death toll from the fire in Los Gallardos has risen to 12 after six more people were confirmed dead.”

Juanma Moreno, the head of state, called the deaths “tragic.” “Our hearts are heavy and we are saddened,” he wrote on X after the first six deaths were announced.

About 150 firefighters were working to put out the fire in the village of Dar. Among the injured were one person who was taken to hospital with smoke inhalation and another person who was burnt to death. Four people were treated at the scene for breathing problems due to minor burns and heavy smoke.

The fire closed roads and 1,000 residents were ordered to evacuate, emergency services said.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said in May that Spain would deploy its biggest summer wildfire response this year, local media and AFP reported.

Spain’s military emergency unit (UME), which deals with major emergencies, said it would join firefighting efforts in Los Gallardos.

In June, Spain The highest daily average has been reached since 1950And it had the highest temperature days on record for that month. Temperatures of up to 42C (107.6F) were forecast in some parts of the country.

A record 393,000 hectares (971,000 acres) burned in Spain last year, according to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFIS). More than six times the Spanish average Between 2006 and 2024.

Climate change is increasing temperatures around the world, and Europe is the fastest growing continentIt’s warming twice as fast as the global average, according to the Copernicus Climate Service.

This is leading to increased summer temperatures, greater pressure on Europe’s water supplies and more intense wildfires.

It was last year. In the year The European Union’s worst wildfire season since records began in 2006More than a million hectares on record – equivalent to half the area of ​​Wales – will be burnt across the EU.

Worsening fire seasons in the Mediterranean have been directly linked to climate change, according to a separate study by the Global Climate Behavior Group at Imperial College London.

Experts warn that frequent and severe fires in Europe will continue in the future.