Foreign nationals are believed to be among at least 11 people killed in a wildfire in southern Spain, and they may include four British nationals who were burned in their car, Spanish authorities said on Friday.
Formal identification was still under way after the blaze swept through the Los Gallardos area of Almeria province, but “everything appears to indicate that the majority, or possibly all, of those who died were foreigners,” said Antonio Sanz, Andalusia’s Emergencies Minister.
The death toll could rise to 12, pending confirmation of the discovery of a further body, according to a statement made on Friday by the president of the regional government, Juanma Moreno.
“At the moment, we could be talking about 12 confirmed fatalities, because there is still one yet to be confirmed, but unfortunately, everything seems to indicate that this person has also been found,” said Moreno in an interview on Canal Sur Radio whilst travelling to Almería.
Four of the victims were found in a car that was right-hand drive, suggesting they might be British nationals.
The others may have died as they attempted to flee on foot through an area characterised as difficult terrain.
Andalusian media this morning reported Sanz confirming that the victims who were found away from their vehicles are likely also foreigners: “one of them is Spanish and the others could be Belgian or British as well,” he said.
As of Friday morning, Spanish news agency EFE reports that 10 of the 11 confirmed fatalities were foreigners.
Eight people were also injured in the wildfire, which broke out on Thursday and spread quickly through the popular tourist region.
The deceased were found in the area around Bédar after attempting to flee the flames from various farmhouses and scattered dwellings.
According to initial reports in the Diario de Almería, the victims became trapped when they took an alternative route to the one indicated by the emergency services and ventured into a ravine which, in the words of Sanz, turned out to be a “trap”.
At least 19 people are still missing following the fire, the head of the regional government of Andalusia, Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla, said Friday.
“There are currently at least 19 people who remain unaccounted for,” he said on public radio on Friday.
The Local has contacted the British Embassy for comment.
READ MORE: LATEST – Devastating wildfire in Spain leaves at least 11 dead and 19 missing
With additional reporting from AFP.
