A fast-moving wildfire sweeping through southern Spain has killed at least 12 people, with authorities warning that the death toll could rise as 23 people remain missing.
The blaze, already among the deadliest wildfires in Spain’s recent history, tore through the Los Gallardos area of Andalusia on Friday after erupting a day earlier in a region of steep ravines. Officials said several of the victims are believed to be foreign nationals.
The fire trapped people in burning vehicles and forced others to flee on foot as flames rapidly spread through forests and scrubland, destroying large stretches of vegetation.
An evacuee, who was not identified, described scenes of devastation.
“I saw gas cylinders exploding, houses on fire and windows shattering,” he said.
Emergency crews continued to battle the blaze and search for the missing as authorities assessed the scale of the destruction.
