At least 12 people have been killed and several others injured after a fast-moving wildfire tore through a wooded area in southern Spain’s Andalusia region on Thursday, officials said Friday.

Andalusia’s regional government confirmed the updated death toll after six additional bodies were discovered, raising the figure from an initial report. The victims were found in and around the small hamlet of Bédar, near Los Gallardos in Almería province.

Antonio Sanz, Andalusia’s minister for health and emergencies, described the blaze as “complex and rapid.” Four victims were found trapped in a car believed to be of British origin, with a right-hand steering wheel. Other bodies were located nearby as people apparently tried to flee the flames on foot.

Early indications suggest several victims, possibly the majority, were foreign nationals. At least six people were injured, including one with burns and another suffering from smoke inhalation.Regional leader Juanma Moreno called the incident a “tragedy” and expressed condolences to the families. “Our hearts are heavy and we are devastated by grief,” he posted on X.

The fire is believed to have been sparked by a downed power line before spreading rapidly through dry, wooded terrain amid extreme conditions. Around 150 firefighters, supported by aerial resources, worked through the night to contain the blaze. Authorities evacuated roughly 1,000 residents and closed sections of major roads, including parts of the A-7 freeway.

The tragedy comes as a sustained heatwave grips southern Europe, with temperatures hovering around 40°C (104°F). Orange weather warnings (the second-highest level) were in effect across parts of Andalusia. Similar wildfires have forced evacuations and strained emergency services in France, Portugal, and other areas of Spain this summer.

Officials described the event as one of the deadliest wildfires in Andalusia’s recent history. Investigations into the exact cause and circumstances surrounding the deaths are ongoing, while containment efforts continue. (ILKHA)