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Spain wildfire kills 12 in southern expat community as 23 remain missing

By 19Network Editorial Team · Jul 12, 2026 · 2 min read

Spain wildfire kills 12 in southern expat community as 23 remain missing

Emergency services search for 23 missing people after a wildfire swept through a residential area in southern Spain.

A wildfire in southern Spain has killed at least 12 people and left 23 others missing, according to local reports from the affected region. The blaze impacted a community heavily populated by foreign expatriates, forcing immediate evacuations as emergency services struggled to contain the flames. Search operations ongoing Search and rescue teams are currently deployed in the scorched areas to locate the 23 individuals still unaccounted for. Authorities have not yet released the identities or nationalities of the 12 confirmed deceased, as forensic teams continue to work at the scene. Emergency units from neighboring provinces have been diverted to assist with the recovery efforts. Hospital facilities in the southern region are treating several individuals for injuries related to the fire, though the exact number of wounded has not been finalized. Local police have cordoned off the affected expat residential zones to allow specialized units to conduct door-to-door searches for the missing residents. Impact on expat communities The fire broke out in an area popular with international residents, including many European and British retirees. Preliminary reports suggest that high…