Battle against fire continues in Spain as authorities try to identify victims

Hundreds of firefighters and military personnel continue to battle a raging wildfire in Los Gallardos, Almería, in southeastern Spain. While no new fatalities have been reported since Friday, the blaze has consumed 6,600 hectares and left 18 people injured, five of whom remain hospitalized.

One individual is in critical condition in intensive care, with four others in serious condition. Authorities are currently referring to 23 individuals as "not located" rather than missing, and only seven official disappearance reports have been filed. Two people were arrested for refusing to leave an evacuated area.

Official figures indicate 1,448 people have been evacuated, with 164 rehoused in temporary shelters. The Red Cross has provided assistance to over 600 people. Autopsies on the twelve deceased individuals were completed Friday night, but identification remains pending, with DNA samples sent to Madrid for analysis by the Civil Guard's Criminalistics Service.

Firefighting efforts involve 540 national government personnel, including the Military Emergencies Unit, and 13 regional firefighting teams. They are supported by seven helicopters, five ground-loading aircraft, and several amphibious planes and drones. Favorable weather forecasts, including increased humidity, offer hope for better control in the coming hours. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares is coordinating with UK and Belgian counterparts regarding citizens potentially affected, as many victims are believed to be of British or Belgian nationality.