At least 11 people have died and 19 others remain missing after a fast-moving wildfire swept through Bedar village in Spain’s Andalusia region, authorities said.
Officials believe many of the victims were foreign tourists visiting the area. Among the dead were four people found inside a right-hand-drive vehicle, leading authorities to suspect they may have been British, although formal identification is still underway.
The blaze spread rapidly through rugged woodland near Los Gallardos, forcing residents to flee and overwhelming emergency services with more than 150 distress calls. Witnesses said the fire may have started after a fallen power line ignited nearby vegetation.
About 400 firefighters, soldiers and emergency personnel were deployed to battle the inferno, which has destroyed roughly 3,150 hectares of forest and farmland. Eight people were injured, including four in critical condition, while around 150 residents were evacuated to temporary shelters.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed condolences to the victims’ families as authorities continued search and rescue operations.
The wildfire comes as Spain endures another intense heatwave, with temperatures approaching 40°C in parts of the country, increasing the risk of devastating wildfires. Similar fires have also been reported in neighbouring France.