A wildfire in southern Spain has killed at least 11 people, making it one of the country’s deadliest on record, as soaring temperatures grip much of the country, authorities said Friday.
Wildfire Details
Several victims of the fire in Almeria were found inside burnt-out vehicles. Eight others have been injured in the blaze, which 150 firefighters and 220 soldiers from Spain’s military emergency unit were battling.
Regional emergency authorities said four British nationals appeared to be among the victims. Andalusia’s regional leader Juan Manuel Moreno said 19 people were unaccounted for on the Cadena Ser radio station.
The fire broke out in a hamlet in a semi-arid area near the Sierra de Los Filabres mountains. Authorities have not confirmed the cause, but said people who called to report it said that a fallen power line had sparked a blaze that spread rapidly into a nearby forest.
The fire also led to road closures, while 1,000 residents were evacuated, according to emergency services.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his condolences, writing on X of his “Immense sadness and desolation in the face of the terrible consequences of the fire affecting the province of Almeria.”
Scientists warn that climate change caused in part by the burning of fuels like gasoline, oil and coal is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of heat and dryness, making certain regions more vulnerable to wildfires.
Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
