Spain: 12 killed in forest fires in the south

Twelve people were killed in a major forest fire that broke out on Thursday afternoon in the town of Los Guayardos, in the province of Almería, in the Andalusia region of southern Spain, according to local emergency authorities.

Andalusia’s 112 Emergency Service reported receiving the first reports of the fire at around 5:00 p.m. local time on Thursday. Due to high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds, the flames rapidly spread to the neighboring municipality of Píñar. The regional government activated Level 1 of Andalusia’s forest fire emergency plan, “Plan Infoc,” evacuated residents of Píñar and several nearby settlements, and temporarily closed sections of the A-7 motorway and the N-340a road.

Judicial authorities have opened an investigation to determine the cause of the fire and officially identify the victims, while emergency services remain on high alert as firefighting efforts continue.