A fast-moving wildfire in southern Spain's Almeria province claimed at least 12 lives on Thursday afternoon, Spanish media including El Pais reported.
The blaze was sparked by a fallen electricity cable and quickly spread into nearby forest, forcing the evacuation of about 100 residents in the Bedar area.
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Emergency operations faced severe complications as flames blocked one of the primary access roads, according to local authorities.
Spanish radio station Cadena Ser reported that emergency workers discovered several victims deceased inside vehicles, with most people losing their lives while trying to flee the fire by car.
Local Health Minister Antonio Sanz expressed condolences to the families during a press conference on the disaster response.
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The regional government deployed 150 emergency personnel, five fire engines, helicopters, water bombers, and the Military Emergency Unit to combat the blaze.
The local fire department reported that flames were raging just meters from residential homes in some areas, worsened by wind gusts reaching up to 50 kilometers per hour.
Separate forest fires also broke out in Malaga province, west of Almeria, forcing the evacuation of residents from 400 homes in the town of Benahavis.
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A prolonged heatwave has gripped Europe for weeks, causing severe wildfires across southern France and Spain, with red alerts remaining active for numerous regions on Friday.
