The Diplomat
The UK government has revised its travel advice for Spain following the wildfire in the municipality of Los Gallardos, in Almería, which broke out on Thursday and has claimed the lives of at least twelve people, some of whom were British.
“Local authorities have reported a wildfire in Los Gallardos, Almería, in Andalusia,” the Foreign Office posted on its website on Friday. “If you are in an area affected by the wildfire: follow the instructions of local authorities and emergency services at all times, avoid travel to or through the affected area, and follow updates from the emergency services,” the statement, released by the UK Embassy in Madrid, advises.
“For emergencies, call 112,” and “if you are worried about someone in the area, call this helpline +34 677 904 624 provided by the Psychological Intervention Group for Emergencies and Disasters (GIPED). English-speaking staff are available,” it continues. “If you or a family member has been affected and needs consular assistance, call +34 917 146 300. If you are in the UK, call +44 (0)20 7008 5000,” it concludes.
For his part, the British Ambassador to Spain, Alex Ellis, expressed his “deep sadness at the tragic fire in Los Gallardos, Almería.” “My thoughts are with all those affected, including British citizens, and I send my support to the emergency services working to extinguish the flames and assist those affected,” he stated in an audio message.
“From the early hours of this morning, the consular teams at the British Embassy in Spain have been supporting British citizens affected,” he assured. “We have also updated our travel advice for Spain, with relevant information for those in the area, including contacts provided by local emergency services, and we continue to share information and safety advice through our official channels,” he announced.
“We will remain in contact with the Spanish authorities and are prepared to provide consular assistance to British citizens who need it. Much solidarity and gratitude to the Spanish emergency services in these very difficult circumstances,” Ambassador Ellis concluded.
According to the President of the Regional Government of Andalusia, Juan Manuel Moreno, at least twelve people have died, “most of them foreigners,” and 23 people are missing as a result of the fire, which “started in a ditch beside a road, apparently due to a broken cable at two electrical points,” and has “spread like wildfire.” In addition, there are four very seriously injured, another four less seriously injured with burns, and 600 evacuated.
While some fatalities remain unidentified, it is known that there are Belgians, Britons, and at least one Spaniard among the victims. The UK government is in contact with Spanish authorities regarding the possible deaths of four British citizens in the fires, according to a Downing Street spokesperson. Some media outlets have reported that four bodies were found in a burned-out vehicle with the steering wheel on the right, leading to the assumption that they are British.