Macron offers condolences to Spain over deadly Almería wildfire

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his condolences to Spain after a wildfire in Los Gallardos, Almería, killed at least 12 people and left more than 20 missing Source: infobae.

What happened

The fire broke out on Thursday in a rugged area of southern Spain, rapidly spreading due to wind and difficult terrain. It has burned between 3,150 and 4,000 hectares, according to varying reports Source: diariolibree. Some 600 residents were evacuated, and over 400 emergency personnel—including 150 regional firefighters and military units—are battling the blaze.

The reaction

Macron wrote on social media: "Pensamientos emocionados para las víctimas de los terribles incendios que afectan a España y para sus familias. Expreso la solidaridad de Francia, que también lucha contra las llamas." He also paid tribute to firefighters Source: infobae. The Andalusian regional government declared three days of official mourning.

Missing persons discrepancy

Sources disagree on the number of missing: infobae reports 24 unaccounted for, while diariolibree says 23 remain missing, noting that many foreign residents live in the area. A local resident described the scene: "Estaba muy feo. Explotando bombonas, todo, ardiendo casas, los cristales partían" Source: diariolibree.