Madrid: At least 11 people have died in a wildfire in southern Spain, making it one of the country's deadliest on record, as extreme heat continues to grip large parts of the country, authorities said on Friday.

Several of the victims were found inside burnt-out vehicles in Almeria province. Eight other people were injured in the blaze, which was being tackled by 150 firefighters and 220 soldiers from Spain's Military Emergency Unit.

Regional emergency authorities said four British nationals appeared to be among those killed. Andalusia regional president Juan Manuel Moreno told Cadena Ser radio that 19 people remained unaccounted for.

Authorities had initially reported 12 deaths but revised the toll to 11 on Friday morning.

Fire spread rapidly after reported power line incident

The wildfire began in a hamlet in a semi-arid area near the Sierra de Los Filabres mountains.

While officials have not confirmed the cause, emergency authorities said callers reporting the incident indicated that a fallen power line had ignited a fire, which quickly spread into a nearby forest.

The blaze forced the closure of several roads and prompted the evacuation of around 1,000 residents, according to emergency services.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his condolences in a post on X, saying he felt "immense sadness and desolation in the face of the terrible consequences of the fire affecting the province of Almeria."

Heatwaves intensify wildfire risk across Europe

Spain has faced increasingly frequent and severe heatwaves in recent years, with temperatures regularly climbing above 40°C. Strong winds, prolonged dry conditions and intense heat have created conditions that allow small fires to spread rapidly into major wildfires.

In June, the country recorded several days of unprecedented heat, with more than 1,000 excess deaths linked to high temperatures.

Western Europe is currently experiencing its third heatwave in six weeks.

According to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service, Europe is the fastest-warming continent, with temperatures rising at twice the global average since the 1980s. Globally, 2025 was the third-hottest year on record, bringing a series of intense heatwaves across Europe.

Scientists have warned that climate change, driven in part by the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and petrol, is increasing the frequency and intensity of heat and drought, leaving many regions more vulnerable to destructive wildfires.
(With agency inputs)