Wildfire in Southern Spain Kills at Least 12, Leaves 23 Missing

At least 12 people have died and 23 others remain unaccounted for after a wildfire swept through the municipality of Los Gallardos in Almería province, Andalusia. The fire began Thursday afternoon and continued to spread rapidly on Friday amid unfavorable weather conditions.

Four of the deceased are believed to be British nationals who became trapped in a car while trying to escape the flames near the village of Bédar.

The other identified victims so far are also thought to be foreign nationals. Eight people were injured, four of them in serious condition. Regional authorities said the fire was likely started by a fallen electric pole.

Andalusia’s head of emergencies, Antonio Sanz, said four victims were found inside a vehicle with a right-hand-side steering wheel. Seven others died after leaving their cars and attempting to flee on foot outside the official evacuation route. More than 150 firefighters and 16 aircraft are fighting the fire, which has burned 3,150 hectares.

Eighty residents were evacuated from the neighboring town of Antas, and more than 140 people have been rehoused. Andalusian President Juanma Moreno described the consequences as devastating. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed enormous sadness and devastation and offered condolences to the families of those killed.

The death toll makes it Spain’s deadliest wildfire since 2005, when 11 firefighters died in a blaze in the central province of Guadalajara.