Spain wildfires UPDATES: At least 4 'Brits' dead as fire tears through Almeria

Andalusia's emergency chief Antonio Sanz said the wildfire's fronts are no longer advancing, but warned crews must remain on alert due to an expected change in wind direction later this morning.

Firefighters are focusing efforts on the left flank of the blaze near the Community Buddhist Center, an area that was inaccessible overnight.

Mr Sanz said crews also carried out controlled burns at the head of the fire during the night. The wildfire has now scorched 3,150 hectares, with 17 aircraft, 150 INFOCA personnel and four fire engines continuing to battle the blaze.

A fire service helicopter drops water onto one of the hotspots of the wildfire in Los Gallardas (Image: CARLOS BARBA/EPA/Shutterstock)

In addition to the 11 people killed, four people suffered serious burns and smoke inhalation and were taken to Torrecárdenas University Hospital for treatment.

Officials said the four patients could be transferred to Virgen del Rocío Hospital in Seville for specialist care.

A further four people were treated at the scene for minor burns and respiratory problems caused by the wildfire.

Andalusia's 112 emergency service has confirmed the death toll from the Los Gallardos wildfire remains at 11.

In its latest update, the agency said around 600 people from several municipalities remain evacuated as firefighters continue battling the blaze in Almería province.

The latest evacuation involved around 120 residents overnight, joining those forced to leave areas including Almocáizar, Fuente del Albarico, Los Pinos, La Serena and parts of nearby Bédar.

A total of 148 evacuees are being sheltered at theatres in Lubrín and Garrucha.

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The Los Gallardos wildfire remains at Operational Situation 2, the highest level under Andalusia's INFOCA wildfire emergency plan, according to the region's wildfire agency, EMA INFOCA.

The designation is used when a wildfire poses a serious threat to people, property or infrastructure and requires a major multi-agency response, with national resources able to support local crews.

In its latest update, EMA INFOCA said 178 personnel, nine fire engines, five medium helicopters, one light helicopter, one command helicopter, four fixed-wing aircraft and one heavy amphibious aircraft are deployed to tackle the blaze.

The agency added that resources from Spain's Military Emergency Unit (UME) and local firefighters remain on the ground as efforts continue to bring the fire under control.

At least 150 firefighters were confirmed earlier as being deployed to tackle the fire, with Spain's Military Emergency Unit (UME) also joining the operation.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Spain would deploy its largest-ever summer wildfire response during the 2026 fire season.

Following the outbreak, he said emergency services, security forces and the military had all been mobilised

Members of Spain's Military Emergency Unit spray water on burning vegetation near Los Gallardos, Alm (Image: MILITARY EMERGENCY UNIT via AP)

Andalusian regional president Juanma Moreno has warned the number of people killed in the devastating wildfire could rise significantly as emergency crews continue searching the affected area.

Antonio Sanz, the Andalusian government's emergency chief, described the blaze as "very complex, very fast-moving", warning of the speed at which it spread through the countryside.

At least 11 people have died, 19 remain unaccounted for, and firefighters are continuing efforts to bring the blaze under control around Los Gallardos and the nearby village of Bédar.

Flames engulf a hillside as the deadly wildfire continues to burn in Almería, southeastern Spain (Image: x.com/antoniosan​z)

Spain's Royal Family has expressed its condolences following the devastating wildfire in Los Gallardos.

In a post on X, the Royal Household said:

Earlier, Andalusian regional president Juanma Moreno paid tribute to the victims as the scale of the disaster began to emerge.

In a post on X, he said:

Antonio Sanz, the Andalusian government's emergency chief, said the wildfire has now burned through more than 3,000 hectares of land, while 122 people have been evacuated from the affected area.

He said there were 11 dead, four seriously injured and eight others with less serious injuries.

Formal identification of the deceased has yet to be carried out, he added.

He offered his condolences to the families, adding:

Los Gallardos is a municipality in Almería province in southeastern Spain, close to the popular Costa de Almería resorts.

The nearby village of Bédar sits in the foothills of the Sierra de los Filabres mountains, where pine woodland and scrubland form a significant part of the rugged, semi-arid landscape.

The area is also home to a sizeable British expat and holiday home community.

Los Gallardos, in Almeria Province (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Andalusian regional president, Juanma Moreno, says he is on his way to Almería as emergency crews continue battling the devastating wildfire.

In a post on X, he wrote:

The wildfire broke out in a hamlet in a semi-arid area near the Sierra de Los Filabres mountains.

Authorities have not confirmed the cause of the fire, but said people who called to report the blaze claimed a fallen power line had sparked a fire that spread rapidly into nearby forest.

Sky News Europe correspondent Alistair Bunkall said:

Investigators are continuing to work to establish the exact cause.

This map, based on data from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), shows dozens of wildfires burning across Europe over the past 24 hours.

Spain, Portugal, France and parts of Italy are among the worst-affected countries, with soaring temperatures creating dangerous conditions for fast-moving fires.

EFFIS figures also show that a record 393,000 hectares (971,000 acres) burned in Spain last year – more than six times the country's average between 2006 and 2024 – highlighting the growing scale of the country's wildfire threat.

Map showing wildfires across Europe in the past 24 hours (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)

Spanish officials believe the other seven people killed in the wildfire may also have been foreign tourists.

Antonio Sanz Cabello, president of the Andalusian emergency agency, said the victims appeared to have abandoned their vehicles before attempting to escape on foot along a route that was not part of the official evacuation plan.

He said:

Mr Sanz added he believes one of the seven victims appears to have been Spanish, while the others could be foreign nationals, including Belgians and Britons. Authorities have not yet formally identified the victims.

Flames at the roadside near Bedar (Image: INFOCA/AFP via Getty Images)

Emergency services are continuing a desperate search for 19 people who remain unaccounted for following the devastating wildfire.

Andalusia's regional leader, Juanma Moreno, told Cadena Ser radio that 19 people are still missing as search and rescue operations continue.

The death toll currently stands at 11, although officials have warned it could rise further as crews continue combing the affected area around Los Gallardos and the nearby village of Bédar.

Four people found dead inside a vehicle are feared to be British, according to Spanish officials.

Antonio Sanz Cabello, president of the Andalusian emergency agency, said authorities had urged residents to stay in their homes and that the deaths appeared to have occurred after some people attempted to flee the wildfire in their vehicles.

He said four people died in one car and appeared to be British because the vehicle had a right-hand drive steering wheel.

Mr Cabello said: "Everything seems to indicate that they're from Britain."

He added that authorities believe the occupants took a route that was not part of the official evacuation plan, describing the decision to take an alternative route as "a fatal trap". The victims' nationalities have not yet been formally confirmed.

Wildfires in Spain (Image: x.com/antoniosan​z)

At least 11 people have died after a devastating wildfire tore through southeastern Spain, with four victims feared to be British.

We'll be bringing you the latest updates from Los Gallardos in Almería, including official statements, the search for missing people, the firefighting effort and the latest on Europe's deadly heatwave.