Spain battles to contain one of its deadliest wildfires as at least 12 killed

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountHomeNewsSportEarthReelWorklifeTravelCultureFutureMusicTVWeatherSoundsMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportEarthReelWorklifeTravelCultureFutureMusicTVWeatherSoundsClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeClimateWorldUS & CanadaUKBusinessTechScienceEntertainment & ArtsHealthMoreIn PicturesBBC VerifyNewsbeatWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastSpain battles to contain one of its deadliest wildfires as at least 12 killedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be played Firefighters battle flames as deadly wildfire rages in southern Spain Hundreds of firefighters in Spain are still battling to contain pockets of flames in the south east after one of the country's worst-ever wildfires. Emergency services have been deployed around the village of Bedar where 12 people have been killed - among them four Britons, according to Spanish authorities. Another 23 people are still missing. Local officials in the Los Gallardos area of Almería have warned the number of dead could rise, with fears that more Britons are among those killed. A sustained heatwave with temperatures of around 40C (104F) has caused wildfires across Southern Europe this summer, particularly in France, Portugal and Spain. 'Really frightening, unbelievably quick': Witnesses describe fleeing deadly Spain wildfire Published16 hours agoFrance records 2,025 excess deaths at peak of heatwave as Europe braces for more extreme weather Published3 JulySoaring temperatures, incredibly dry ground and powerful winds led to the Los Gallardos fire spreading quickly on Thursday afternoon. Antonio Sanz, Andalusia's health and emergencies minister, said on Saturday the fire had burned across 6,600 hectares (16,300 acres) of land. The cause has been put down to a fallen power line, but local electricity companies have denied this. No additional information has been given about the four people who were found dead in a burnt-out car. Sanz said previously they are believed to be "of British origin" and that the car had a steering wheel on the right. He also said weather conditions had improved overnight, "allowing us to face the day with better prospects than yesterday". He added: "This is the first day we will be able to mount a direct attack on the fire. Until now, weather conditions and the behaviour of the blaze only allowed us to work defensively." Image source, ReutersImage caption, A burnt out car sits among the ashes near Bedar Lucinda Curtois, who arrived in Spain with her partner Riyaz Cheytan and their teenage children for a holiday on Thursday, described their escape from Bedar. "It was almost like there was a mushroom cloud of smoke, it was like a bomb had gone off," she said. Curtois told the BBC she feared at least two other UK nationals had been killed. "They left their home on foot, I don't know why," she said. "I can only presume it was probably because their road was cut off because they live out in the countryside." Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Wildfire as it creeps towards residential buildings near the municipality of El Pocico Officials in Bedar said some of those who had died had not taken a recommended evacuation route - but it's not clear how well that guidance was conveyed. Neither the Spanish authorities - nor the Foreign Office in London - have revealed the identity of the deceased. Sanz said the rapid fire had been complex and the majority or even all of the victims may have been foreign nationals. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said many Belgians had second homes in the country and consular services were trying to contact "Belgians with whom they have not been able to get in touch". Image caption, The Los Gallardos area is home to many foreign residents With at least 12 people dead, this is already among the deadliest wildfires in Spanish history. In 1984, 20 people died in a fire on the Canary Island of La Gomera, while in 1979, 21 people, including nine children, died in a forest fire near Lloret de Mar in north-eastern Spain. Climate change is driving up temperatures around the world, and Europe is the fastest warming continent, heating up twice as fast as the global average, according to the Copernicus climate service. This is causing increased summer heatwaves, greater pressure on Europe's water supply, and more intense wildfires. Get in touchHave you been affected by the wildfires and extreme heat in Southern Europe? If it is safe to do so, get in touch. Contact formContact formRelated topicsSpainWildfiresEuropeThe video playlistWatch our pick of standout clips from across the BBC PreviousNext0:55Ann Widdecombe's 'extraordinary' character. 00:00:55, play videoAnn Widdecombe's 'extraordinary' character0:57Are World Cup players the next big influencers? 00:00:57, play videoAre World Cup players the next big influencers?1:00This picture of baby Haaland with Ronaldo is FAKE. 00:01:00, play videoThis picture of baby Haaland with Ronaldo is FAKE0:44How can you cool your home during a heatwave? 00:00:44, play videoHow can you cool your home during a heatwave?0:45Pitbull fans set bald cap record at London concert. 00:00:45, play videoPitbull fans set bald cap record at London concert1:12Why has Wonderwall become England's unofficial anthem? 00:01:12, play videoWhy has Wonderwall become England's unofficial anthem?0:33Dad helps his blind son enjoy the World Cup. 00:00:33, play videoDad helps his blind son enjoy the World Cup1:00Spain: At the scene of firefighters tackling wildfires. 00:01:00, play videoSpain: At the scene of firefighters tackling wildfires1:07What links a bomb in Monaco and a shooting in Ukraine? 00:01:07, play videoWhat links a bomb in Monaco and a shooting in Ukraine?0:51Pioneering treatment saves twins in early pregnancy. 00:00:51, play videoPioneering treatment saves twins in early pregnancy1:23I was spiked by injection on a girls' holiday. 00:01:23, play videoI was spiked by injection on a girls' holiday0:48Haaland and Bellingham to bring bromance to quarter final. 00:00:48, play videoHaaland and Bellingham to bring bromance to quarter final0:34Flames engulf the Spanish countryside. 00:00:34, play videoFlames engulf the Spanish countryside1:23Bayeux Tapestry arrives in London. 00:01:23, play videoBayeux Tapestry arrives in London0:51Why is Meghan not with Prince Harry in Birmingham? 00:00:51, play videoWhy is Meghan not with Prince Harry in Birmingham?Top storiesLive. Suspect in Ann Widdecombe murder inquiry released and no longer part of investigation US wants Iran to pledge to stop shooting at ships in Strait of Hormuz Twenty years of Chasing Cars: 'It's the song that took us to the whole world'

---

Original Source: BBC