Most of the victims died after ignoring shelter-in-place instructions, said Antonio Sanz, head of Andalusia\u2019s emergency services. Some tried to escape via a dry riverbed that “turned into a death trap,” he said.<\/p>\n
Four victims were believed to be British nationals because the steering wheel of their burned-out car was on the right side, as with British vehicles, regional authorities said. Other unspecified nationals also were believed to be among the dead, and the death toll was expected to rise, authorities said.<\/p>\n
Seven people died while on foot after abandoning their cars, Sanz said, adding that most of the deceased were believed to be foreign nationals.<\/p>\n
No reports of New Zealanders caught up in fire – MFAT<\/p>\n
A New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson confirmed it was “monitoring the situation closely”. <\/p>\n
“At this stage we have not received any request for consular assistance and we are not aware of any New Zealanders caught up in the fire,” they said. <\/p>\n
“New Zealanders in the affected areas should follow the advice of local authorities. New Zealanders in Spain requiring consular assistance can contact the consular emergency line on +64 99 20 20 20.”<\/p>\n
There were currently 145 New Zealanders registered on SafeTravel as being in Spain.<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/a-wildfire-rages-in-alfajir-near-almeria-in-southeastern-spa-G4GWJUL2DVERRFFOWH3E7KEOUE.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
A wildfire rages in Alfajir, near Almeria in southeastern Spain. (Source: Associated Press)<\/p>\n
Dean Taylor, a resident who divides his time between Spain and the UK, said he managed to just barely escape the neighbourhood by using back roads to get out.<\/p>\n
“It was quite terrifying,” Taylor said in an interview with The Associated Press. “It’s a very sad day, isn\u2019t it? It’s devastating, really.”<\/p>\n
The blaze is a challenge for firefighters<\/p>\n
The fire was still burning as of Friday afternoon. Some 150 firefighters and 220 soldiers from Spain\u2019s military emergency unit were battling the blaze, which had consumed more than 3200ha of forest and farmland.<\/p>\n
Moreno, the Andalusian regional leader, said containing the fire was difficult because of the steep, dry terrain.<\/p>\n
“It consists mainly of scrubland and esparto grass,” Moreno said. “Everything is extremely dry due to the heat waves, making it the perfect fuel; combined with the wind, it\u2019s a ticking time bomb.”<\/p>\n
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro S\u00e1nchez expressed his condolences. “Immense sadness and desolation in the face of the terrible consequences of the fire affecting the province of Almeria,” he wrote on X.<\/p>\n
Europe battles intense heat again<\/p>\n
Spain has battled frequent and severe heat waves in recent years, with temperatures often exceeding 40C. Wind, high temperatures and little rainfall help small wildfires grow into unchecked blazes.<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/a-wildfire-rages-in-alfajir-near-almeria-in-southeastern-spa-N2ND2OYRVNEBXPWVG6GYLNGXSQ.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
A wildfire rages in Alfajir, near Almeria in southeastern Spain. (Source: Associated Press)<\/p>\n
In June, Spain experienced several days of record-setting heat, with over 1,000 excess deaths attributed to heat.<\/p>\n
Europe is the world\u2019s fastest-warming continent, with temperatures increasing twice as fast as the global average since the 1980s, according to the European Union\u2019s Copernicus Climate Change Service. Parts of Western Europe are facing their third heat wave in six weeks. Globally, 2025 was the third-hottest year on record, bringing several intense heat waves across Europe.<\/p>\n
France also at risk of wildfires<\/p>\n