4 burnt alive in car, 7 die fleeing on foot in deadly Spain wildfire
A massive wildfire in southern Spain has resulted in at least 12 deaths, including four people found in a car and seven who died while fleeing on foot. Authorities suggest a fallen power line may have ignited the blaze amid extreme heat and dry conditions.
Why it matters
This incident highlights the increasing frequency and lethality of wildfires in Europe, which is warming faster than the global average.
At least 12 people were killed after a wildfire swept through southern Spain overnight into Friday, authorities said, making it one of the country's deadliest wildfires on record as soaring temperatures continued to grip large parts of the nation.The wildfire broke out in a hamlet in a semi-arid area near the Sierra de Los Filabres mountains. While authorities have not confirmed the cause, they said callers who reported the incident suggested a fallen power line may have sparked the blaze, which quickly spread into a nearby forest.Antonio Sanz, head of emergencies in Spain's Andalusia region, said residents of Bedar had been advised either to evacuate through a designated route or remain indoors, depending on their proximity to the advancing wildfire.Sanz said four people, who appeared to be British as their car had a right-hand drive steering wheel, were found dead inside one vehicle.
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