Spanish wildfire stabilizes after claiming 12 lives

Firefighters are nearing full control of a devastating wildfire in southern Spain that has claimed at least twelve lives. Officials in the Andalusia region announced that the blaze, which has ravaged 7,000 hectares of forest and bushland, is no longer spreading. Favorable conditions, including weaker winds and higher humidity, are aiding containment efforts.

Around 500 firefighters, soldiers, and other personnel remain deployed in the affected areas near Los Gallardos and Bédar. They aim to bring the fire completely under control within the next few hours. The search for potential additional victims is ongoing, with authorities investigating 23 missing persons reports. Eight people have been injured.

Authorities believe several British and Belgian nationals are among the deceased, who were trapped while attempting to flee the flames. Genetic profiles have been collected, but final identification awaits the arrival of relatives to provide DNA samples. The fire's suspected cause is a faulty power line. Meanwhile, about 600 evacuated residents have returned to their homes, with the remaining 1,000 expected to return soon.

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The situation around the fire has now been stabilized.