▲ A massive wildfire sweeps through the Andalusia region of Spain.
A massive wildfire that struck the Andalusia region in southern Spain on July 9 (local time) has resulted in a rising number of casualties and missing persons, according to Reuters and other foreign media outlets.
Juan Manuel Moreno, President of the Regional Government of Andalusia, announced on July 11 (local time) that the death toll from the wildfire, considered one of the worst in history, has reached 12, with 23 people missing and 8 injured.
Approximately 1,400 people have evacuated their homes to escape the fire, and the area affected by the blaze is estimated to be 4,000 hectares (40 square kilometers).
While the identities of the 12 deceased have not yet been confirmed following autopsies, most are presumed to be foreign nationals.
Authorities believe four of the victims found together in a burnt-out vehicle were likely British citizens, based on the fact that the car had the steering wheel on the right side.
The other eight victims lost their lives while attempting to evacuate along a dry riverbed after abandoning their vehicles.
Authorities suspect that as the flames spread, the riverbed turned into a death trap in an instant.
Emergency officials in Andalusia expressed their sorrow, stating that most of the victims lost their lives because they did not follow official instructions to stay in place, or because they failed to follow the evacuation routes provided by the authorities.
Officials in Bedar, the village where most of the victims lived, explained, "Immediately after the fire broke out, we went door-to-door to evacuate residents or instructed them to stay indoors depending on the fire situation at the time."
It was reported that the village of Bedar did not suffer significant damage from the wildfire.
"This type of wildfire can change direction in an instant depending on the wind," Moreno said, appealing to the public to "please always follow the instructions of the authorities."
Meanwhile, the wildfire, which began in a mountainous area near Los Gallardos in Andalusia amidst record-breaking heat, was confirmed to have been caused by a severed power line on a nearby highway.
In recent years, Spain has seen an increase in large summer wildfires due to a combination of heatwaves, strong winds, and dry weather conditions.
The deadliest wildfire in Spanish history occurred in 1979 in Lloret de Mar, a coastal city an hour north of Barcelona, which claimed 21 lives at the time.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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