Wildfire in southern Spain kills 11 and burns 3,150 hectares

Eleven people have died in a wildfire that began Thursday afternoon in Almería province in southern Spain. The death toll was first reported as six, raised to 12 and later corrected to 11 by emergency services. Some of the dead were found in burned vehicles in the Bedar area.

Four of them were in a right-hand drive car, which officials said indicated they were British nationals. Authorities have not yet confirmed the identities of any victims and said many may be foreign tourists. The fire injured at least eight people, four of them seriously.

One person suffered burns and another suffered smoke inhalation; both were taken to hospital. Nineteen people remain missing. Roads were closed and residents were evacuated. About 50 people were housed in a cultural centre.

The fire has burned 3,150 hectares of land. Spain's Military Emergency Unit deployed 150 personnel. Around 400 professionals in total were mobilised on the ground. Witnesses reported that the blaze may have started after a power line fell and ignited dry vegetation.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez posted on X that he conveyed condolences to the families of those who died in the Los Gallardos forest fire and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.