'Brits' among 12 dead in holiday hotspot wildfire - bodies found in burnt cars

NewsWorld newsWildfiresLIVEUpdated 3 mins agoAt least 12 people have been killed in a wildfire in Los Gallardos, Almería, Spain - four of the dead are thought to be British after they were found in a burnt out carBritish people are feared to be among those dead(Image: x)Updated 07:47, 10 Jul 2026A wildfire has claimed the lives of at least 12 people as Europe continues to battle a raging 40C heatwave. Four of the dead are thought to be British.Some dead bodies were found in burnt out cars in Los Gallardos, Spain where firefighters continue to battle the flames. Six other people have been injured.Witnesses say the wildfire was caused by a downed power line, although authorities have not confirmed the cause. Around 150 firefighters have been deployed to tackle the fire in a hamlet called Bedar.View PostView PostView PostToday07:42 BSTFour Brits feared dead in wildfireAndalusian Minister of Health, Presidency, and Emergencies, Antonio Sanz confirmed four of the deceased were found in a vehicle and are believed to be of British origin. The steering wheel of the car was on the right, he said.Today07:39 BSTFears tourists could be among those killed in wildfiresInital investigations indicate that tourists are among those killed in the wildfire, according to local media.There are campsites in the Los Gallardos area including the large-scale Miraflores where people have been evacuated.Residents also in Almocáizar, Fuente del Albarico, Los Pinos, La Serena and El Pinar de Bédar have also been told to leave their properties.The emergency has closed the A-7 motorway northbound (from kilometre 709 to 714) and the N-340A national highway near the fire.Today07:34 BSTPeople urged to avoid area as emergency calledMinister of the Presidency, Health, and Emergencies Antonio Sanz has called an emergency and asked people to avoid the area.He wrote on X "We have raised the @Plan_INFOCA in #Almería to emergency phase, operational situation 2, due to the evolution and potential of the #IFLosGallardos 150 EMA Infoca personnel are already working, supported by 5 fire engine vehicles"We ask the population for maximum caution: Avoid the area. Always follow the instructions of the emergency services. Avoid risks."Content cannot be displayed without consent‌Today07:31 BSTWhere the wildfire is happening in SpainThere are around ‌150 firefighters trying to put out massive wildfires in the south east of Spain where 12 people have now sadly died.Fires have swept across roads in Los Gallardos which is to the north east of Almeria.Los Gallardos is to the north east of AlmeriaToday07:26 BSTPeople died after being trapped in carsInitial investigations by authorities suggest the fire may have originated from a collapsed power line and it then spread rapidly through the forest area.Some of the fatalities were found trapped in their cars after attempting to flee via alternative routes.Today07:21 BSTDeath toll confirmed at 12 amid extreme temperatures in SpainFirefighters are battling the blaze which broke out in Los Gallardos, a municipality of the Almeria province in Andalusia."The number of people who died in the fire in Los Gallardos has risen to 12 after the confirmation of six more deaths," the regional government of Andalusia said in a statement.A sustained heatwave with temperatures of around 40C has caused wildfires across southern Europe.‌Today07:17 BSTSpanish Prime Minister's statement over horror firesSpanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wrote on X: "Immense sadness and pain seeing the terrible impact of the fires in the province of Almería."I want to convey my condolences to the families of those who died in the Los Gallardos forest fire. My wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured and my solidarity with all the affected neighbors."Members of @mitecogob, @proteccioncivil, and the Law Enforcement and Security Forces of the State are working to combat the flames. The @UMEgob has already been mobilized. Much caution."Content cannot be displayed without consentToday07:13 BST'Most ‌devastating fire' to hit our region, says Spanish ministerMinister of the Presidency, Health, and Emergencies Antonio Sanz called the fire as "the most ‌devastating fire to date in our region", and described the situation as an "unprecedented tragedy".Today07:10 BSTDeath toll rises to 12"The number of people who died in the fire in Los Gallardos has risen to 12 after the confirmation of six more deaths," the regional government of Andalusia said in a statement this morning.‌