A wildfire killed their loved ones in Spain. These British families demand to know why
Summary
A wildfire killed 15 people in the Spanish village of Bédar on July 9, including nine British nationals. Relatives say emergency warnings and evacuation guidance came too late, and they want a public inquiry; Andalusia’s governing parties blocked an opposition proposal for one, saying a criminal investigation should provide answers.Key Facts
- The fire struck Bédar, in southeastern Spain’s Almería province, and killed 15 people.
- Nine of the dead were British; the other victims included three Belgians, one French national, one American and one Spaniard.
- Relatives criticized authorities for not sending mobile-phone emergency alerts as the flames approached.
- Andalusia’s emergencies chief said officials did not use the alert system because they could not target it to specific communities.
- Officials said some residents were safer staying indoors and argued an alert could cause panic and traffic jams.
- The regional parliament’s People’s Party and Vox rejected a Socialist Party request for an inquiry commission, citing an ongoing criminal investigation.
- Bédar’s emergency plan was last approved in 2019 and was being updated, according to regional officials.
- Families also said they were unhappy with how police handled victims’ remains and belongings.
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