A-7 reopens after Los Gallardos wildfire leaves 12 dead

The A-7 motorway in Almería has fully reopened to traffic after being closed due to the Los Gallardos wildfire, which has killed at least 12 people and injured eight Source: elmundoes. The highway was reopened in the early hours of Saturday between kilometres 709 and 714 towards Almería, after a second closure caused by a wind shift that pushed flames back towards the town Source: infobae, elconfidencial.

Casualties and evacuations

The fire has caused 12 fatalities and left eight injured Source: elmundoes. Evacuation numbers vary: the regional government initially reported 600 evacuated, but later raised the figure to 1,400 according to the same source, while another source still cites 600 Source: infobae, elconfidencial. Additionally, 23 people remain unaccounted for Source: elmundoes. Of the evacuated, 193 are housed in temporary shelters in Lubrín, Garrucha, and Antas, with special care for vulnerable groups Source: infobae, elconfidencial.

Cause and investigation

The fire may have been sparked by a falling power line, according to the regional president Source: elmundoes. An investigation is ongoing, with samples from the victims sent to Madrid for identification Source: elmundoes. The wind shift that complicated containment efforts specifically endangered the Barranco de Alfaix area, where 250 residents were ordered to evacuate Source: infobae, elconfidencial.