Spain wildfire kills 11, 19 missing as heatwave fuels blaze

A devastating wildfire has claimed at least 11 lives in the popular tourist region of Andalusia, southern Spain. The fast-moving blaze tore through forests and scrubland in the Los Gallardos area, trapping motorists in burning vehicles and forcing others to flee on foot.

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They appear to have been British nationals and were burned to death inside the car.

Authorities reported that 19 people remain missing, and many of the victims are believed to be foreign nationals. Among the confirmed dead are four British citizens who were traveling in a car when the fire engulfed them. The head of the Andalusia regional government, Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla, confirmed the tragic details to Spanish radio.

Spain has been experiencing extreme heatwaves, creating ideal conditions for wildfires to spread rapidly. Around 500 firefighters, supported by the Military Emergency Unit, battled to contain the flames and search for victims. Approximately 800 people were evacuated, with nearly 200 taken to temporary shelters. Officials warned that the situation could worsen if winds shifted.

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At the moment, we have confirmed that 11 people have lost their lives in the Los Gallardos fire; there are no words for such grief.

Scientists link the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events like heatwaves to human-caused climate change driven by the burning of fossil fuels. The fire, which broke out on Thursday, has destroyed significant areas of natural landscape, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

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even those who did not want to leave