13/07/2026 04:07 - Internacionales
The province of Almería, located in the southeastern region of Spain, is breathing a cautious sigh of relief after several days of anguish. The fierce wildfire that broke out in the town of Los Gallardos on July 9, 2026, at 6:00 PM local time, caused by a fallen high-voltage power pole, has finally been stabilized thanks to the subsiding winds and the immense effort of emergency teams.
Although the flames are receding, the scenario left behind is heartbreaking. So far, 6,600 hectares of land have been scorched. The tragedy has left a toll of 12 deceased individuals—four of them British nationals found in a vehicle, and seven others in the town of Bédar. Additionally, 23 people are reported missing and 8 injured, four of whom are in serious condition. Meanwhile, 1,400 people had to be evacuated from their homes.
To combat the flames, which at their peak advanced at a terrifying speed of 100 meters per minute, the Spanish government deployed a massive operation. This included 22 aerial units, 539 state personnel, 220 members of the Military Emergency Unit (UME)—a specialized branch of the Spanish Armed Forces dedicated to disaster relief—and 245 Civil Guard agents (Spain's oldest law enforcement agency). Their bravery and dedication have been fundamental in controlling the catastrophe, bringing hope back to the region.
The work now focuses on identifying the bodies and providing answers to the families of the missing. Victim samples have been sent to Madrid for DNA analysis, a meticulous process that requires time and delicacy amidst the collective grief. There is hope that this scientific process will bring closure and comfort to the affected families.
Not all the pain stems from the fire itself. A strong controversy has emerged in Spain because the ES-Alert system was not activated. This is Spain's national population warning mechanism that sends emergency alerts directly to mobile phones. Authorities will have to explain why this vital system was not used to warn the area's residents in time, to ensure such a communication gap does not happen again.
Original source: Clarín
Alfredo S. Quiroga
