SPAIN WILDFIRE KILLS 12 AS FIREFIGHTERS MOUNT DIRECT ASSAULT

Hundreds of firefighters in southern Spain continued efforts to contain the wildfire near the village of Bedar on Saturday, as officials reported signs that the blaze was easing. According to Spanish authorities, the fire has killed at least 12 people, including four British nationals. A further 23 people remained unaccounted for, and local officials in the Los Gallardos area of Almería warned that the death toll could rise, with concerns that additional British citizens may be among those killed.

The Los Gallardos fire spread rapidly on Thursday afternoon across 6,600 hectares of land, according to Antonio Sanz, Andalusia's health and emergencies minister. Soaring temperatures around 40°C, dry ground conditions and powerful winds contributed to the fire's speed. The cause has been attributed to a fallen power line, although local electricity companies have disputed this account. Four people were discovered dead in a burnt-out car with a right-hand steering wheel, believed to be British nationals, though no additional details were released.

Sanz stated on Saturday that improved weather conditions overnight presented "better prospects" for firefighting efforts. He confirmed that Saturday would mark the first day firefighters could mount a direct attack on the flames, as previous weather conditions had restricted operations to defensive measures. The wildfire forms part of a broader pattern of fires across southern Europe, driven by a sustained heatwave affecting France, Portugal and Spain.