At least 11 people have died in a wildfire in southeastern Spain, with four victims found in a burnt-out car believed to be British, according to Spanish officials. The fire tore through the Los Gallardos area near the village of Bédar in Almería province, and 19 people remain missing.
Four Bodies Found in Car Feared to Be British
Antonio Sanz Cabello, president of the Andalusian emergency agency, said the four individuals died inside a vehicle with a right-hand drive steering wheel, indicating they were likely from Britain. “Everything seems to indicate that they're from Britain,” Sanz said. He added that the victims had taken a route that was not part of the official evacuation plan, calling the decision “a fatal trap.”
The vehicle was discovered engulfed in flames as firefighters battled the blaze. Authorities have not yet formally confirmed the nationalities of any victims.
Other Victims Believed to Be Foreign Tourists
Spanish officials believe the other seven people killed in the wildfire may also have been foreign tourists. Sanz stated that one victim appears to be Spanish, while the others could include nationals from Belgium and Britain. The victims are thought to have abandoned their vehicles and attempted to escape on foot through rugged terrain, deviating from the designated evacuation route.
“The decision to take another route instead of the designated evacuation route became a fatal trap,” Sanz said. Search and rescue operations are ongoing.
Nineteen People Still Missing
Andalusia's regional leader, Juanma Moreno, told Cadena Ser radio that 19 people remain unaccounted for as crews continue combing the affected area. The death toll currently stands at 11, but officials have warned it could rise further as searches expand around Los Gallardos and Bédar.
Emergency services are facing challenging conditions due to the rugged terrain and ongoing fire activity. The wildfire is part of a broader heatwave affecting Europe, which has exacerbated fire risks across the continent.
Official Response and Evacuation Efforts
Authorities had urged residents to stay in their homes, but some individuals attempted to flee in vehicles. Sanz noted that the deaths occurred when people ignored evacuation instructions and took alternative routes. The fire, which started earlier this week, has consumed large areas of forest and agricultural land.
Firefighting teams, including aerial units, have been deployed to contain the blaze. The Spanish government has offered assistance to regional authorities as they manage the crisis.
