Massive Wildfire Amid Heatwave in Southern Spain Leaves 12 Dead

A massive wildfire broke out in the Andalusia region of southern Spain on the evening of July 9, local time, leaving 12 people dead, according to AFP.

Local authorities reported that some of the victims were found inside vehicles. The total death toll from this single incident exceeds the total number of wildfire-related deaths recorded throughout all of last year.

Officials stated that over 1,000 residents were evacuated due to the blaze, and several people were treated at the scene and in hospitals for burns and smoke inhalation.

Witnesses reported in initial emergency calls that the fire began when power lines fell, and the flames spread rapidly into forest areas near the road.

Authorities deployed approximately 150 firefighters to conduct suppression operations from the night of July 9 through the early morning of July 10.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "I am deeply saddened and devastated by the horrific aftermath of this wildfire," and urged residents to exercise "extreme caution."

In recent years, Spain has experienced frequent heatwaves from spring through summer. Dry conditions, with daytime highs exceeding 40°C (104°F), have created an environment highly susceptible to wildfires.

In response, Prime Minister Sanchez announced in late May that the country would activate its largest-ever response system to prevent wildfires this summer.

According to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), more than 393,000 hectares of land were destroyed by wildfires in Spain last year.

This marked the largest scale of damage in modern Spanish history.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.