The worst fire in Andalusia’s history has engulfed homes in the hills around Los Gallardos, in the province of Almería.

On the night of Thursday 9 July, 500 emergency personnel (firefighters, police, specialists) were attempting to tackle the blaze, whilst dozens of people who had fled their homes were being accommodated in municipal facilities in this southern region of Spain.

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The authorities have confirmed the deaths of 11 people. Several of them are believed to have died whilst trying to flee by car or on foot along roads that were engulfed by the flames. According to official estimates, some or all of the deceased may be foreign nationals, including British and Belgian citizens. There are also seriously injured people being treated in local hospitals.

At the time of writing, 23 people were still missing.

The fire broke out at around 4 pm. The blaze has affected more than 3,000 hectares of “rugged terrain dotted with scattered houses”.

The President of Andalusia, Juanma Moreno, has described an unprecedented “tragedy” that local residents are experiencing with “anguish and grief”.

Eyewitness account from Turre: “We found out at 6 pm”

Evangelical Focus spoke to Noé Hernández, a resident of Turre, 5 km from Los Gallardos, who watched the fire spread from his rooftop in the town centre

“We found out about the fire at around 6.00 pm because of the cloud of smoke”, he says.

Noé is a pastor at the Evangelical Church in Turre. “I have friends, particularly retired people from England who have come to live in country houses,” he explains, in places such as Antas, which were at risk due to the advancing fire and the direction of the wind on Friday the 10th.

“We’ve just learnt that everyone who was in danger has been evacuated and taken to safety at various relief centres”, he wrote via WhatsApp messages.

“Sadly, 11 people have died; they left their homes at night and couldn’t find a way down from the mountain,” he explains. “That area has only one main access and exit route”.

According to the information they have received in the last few hours, “there are many difficulties in putting out the fire, due to the challenging terrain, the wind, and also the heat”.

“Pray for the bereaved families”

As for prayer requests, the evangelical pastor from Turre says: “We ask for prayer for the bereaved families, and for the authorities, that the Lord may grant them the necessary wisdom”.

“Give thanks for the church here in the area; we are well. Likewise, pray for the people who are in the mountains trying to extinguish the flames – there are pilots in various types of aircraft, and firefighters. Pray also for those who are in hospital in a very serious condition”.