A severe wildfire in Andalusia, southern Spain, has claimed at least 12 lives and left 23 people missing, marking one of the deadliest wildfires in Spain in recent years.
The wildfire erupted on Thursday evening near the Sierra de los Filabres mountains in Almería province, quickly spreading due to extreme heat, strong winds, and dry vegetation. This has severely affected several rural and foreign communities.
Officials reported many deaths occurred as people tried to flee the fire, despite government orders for residents to stay indoors and await rescue. Some attempted to escape by driving through dry riverbeds, which became traps when the fire surrounded them, while others were found dead in their vehicles or during their escape.
Spanish authorities indicated that some of the deceased may be British nationals after discovering a burnt vehicle with a right-hand drive steering wheel. They believe several foreigners are among the missing, complicating identification efforts due to the severe burn injuries on the bodies.
Currently, more than 150 firefighters and 220 soldiers have been deployed to control the fire, but efforts are hampered by the mountainous terrain and extreme heat. The wildfire has already consumed over 3,200 hectares, forcing at least 600 residents to evacuate, with hundreds relocated to temporary shelters.
Initial investigations suggest the fire may have been caused by fallen power lines; however, the electric company denies this and insists on waiting for official findings.
This incident occurred amid Spain’s second heatwave of the summer, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius in many areas, while France faces its third heatwave of the year. Scientists warn that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves and wildfires across many European countries.
Source:AP
Click to read related newsInternational News