Authorities have identified six of the 13 victims from the Los Gallardos fire. The deceased include citizens from the UK, Belgium, France, the US, and Spain. DNA analysis is ongoing as families await confirmation.
Six of the thirteen people who lost their lives in the devastating Los Gallardos fire in Almería have now been formally identified, according to the Civil and Instruction Section No. 3 of the Vera Court. Among the confirmed victims are two British nationals, a Belgian man, a French woman, an American woman, and a Spanish man. The American woman was married to the Spanish victim, highlighting the international character of the community affected by the tragedy.
Efforts to identify all victims have been complicated by the condition of the remains, making genetic analysis the only viable method. The Guardia Civil’s forensic biology unit has already established genetic profiles for the deceased, but matching these to relatives’ DNA has been delayed as some family members are still abroad. Consular authorities from Belgium, the United Kingdom, and France are actively assisting in the process, which is expected to yield further identifications in the coming hours.
One of the victims, Stanislas Verdonckt, a 63-year-old Belgian entrepreneur who had settled in Bédar, was among the first to be named. His son, Thomas-Wolf, a virologist living in Belgium, traveled to Almería to provide a DNA sample and file a missing person report. He recounted that he was on the phone with his father as the fire approached, and described how the group tried to escape via the main road but were forced onto a dirt track as the flames closed in. His account challenges the official version, which claims that those who died in the so-called 'rambla de la muerte' ignored advice to stay indoors.
The fire, which has become the deadliest in Andalusian history, has so far claimed 13 lives. Eight bodies were found in the area now referred to as the 'rambla de la muerte.' The most recent fatality was a 93-year-old woman who succumbed to her injuries at Torrecárdenas University Hospital after suffering burns to 20% of her body. She had survived the initial blaze but could not recover due to pre-existing health conditions.
Authorities are still searching for answers regarding the fate of at least 20 people whose relatives have been unable to contact them. Nine disappearances have been officially reported, including two new cases filed by families unable to locate loved ones. The court has also received information on a seventh victim, but further analysis is required to confirm their identity. Additional identifications are expected soon as DNA results become available.
Los Gallardos, located near the popular tourist destinations of Mojácar and Garrucha, is home to a significant expatriate community. Many foreign nationals, like Stanislas Verdonckt, had chosen the area for its tranquility and climate. The fire’s rapid spread and the lack of timely warnings have raised questions about emergency protocols and communication, especially among international residents.
Spain has faced several high-profile accidents in recent years, highlighting ongoing challenges in emergency response and public safety. For example, a recent serious road accident in Collado Villalba also underscored the importance of coordinated action by emergency services. The Los Gallardos tragedy now brings renewed attention to the need for effective disaster preparedness, particularly in regions with diverse and international populations.
As the identification process continues, families and authorities await further news. The incident has prompted collaboration between Spanish officials and foreign consulates, reflecting the cross-border impact of such disasters. The coming days are expected to bring more clarity as DNA results are finalized and the full scale of the tragedy becomes known.
