(LOS GALLARDOS, Spain) — At least 12 people have died and 23 others are unaccounted for as firefighters in Southern Spain battle a rapidly spreading wildfire, officials said.
Emergency services in Andalusia said the death toll rose overnight amid the devastating blaze.
Andalusian President Juanma Moreno earlier said in a post on X that eight people have also been injured, including four who are in serious condition.
In an interview Friday morning on Spanish radio, Moreno said four of those killed were British nationals who became trapped in a car while trying to escape the flames and added that all of the other victims identified so far are foreign nationals.
The wildfire, burning in the municipality of Los Gallardos in Spain’s southeastern Almeria province, continued to spread rapidly Friday, with Moreno warning that weather conditions remained unfavorable for firefighters.
“The consequences are devastating,” Moreno said in his post on X.
Emergency crews on Friday continued search-and-rescue operations as they worked to locate the people still reported missing.
The blaze is likely to rank among the deadliest wildfires in Spain’s recent history, though authorities cautioned that the full scale of the disaster is still emerging as rescue efforts continue and officials work to identify victims.
Earlier today, a regional government official said in an interview that the fire was likely caused by an electric poll which had fallen.
The regional minister for emergencies in Andalusia, Antonio Sanz Cabello, said on Friday that last night was “a truly tragic night” with “terrible consequences.”
He said fighting the fire has been made more complicated by the remote terrain and the lack of access for heavy machinery. Sixteen aircraft are being used to fight the wildfire.
He urged people to take maximum care and said teams are still fighting the wildfire in Los Gallardos “with all their strength.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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