Spain battles to contain one of its deadliest wildfires as at least 12 killed
A severe wildfire in Almería, Spain, has resulted in at least 12 deaths, including several British nationals, amid a record-breaking heatwave. Emergency services are struggling to contain the blaze, which was exacerbated by high temperatures and strong winds.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the increasing danger of extreme weather events in Southern Europe and the human cost of climate-driven wildfires.
Image source, Reuters Image caption, A helicopter works to extinguish flames amid deadly wildfires affecting Almeria province in Spain
Emergency services in south-eastern Spain are working to contain pockets of fire after one of the country's worst ever wildfires.
Hundreds of firefighters and other specialists have been deployed around the village of Bedar where 12 people have been killed - among them four Britons, according to Spanish authorities. Another 23 people are still missing.
Local officials in the Los Gallardos area of Almería have warned the number of dead could rise, with fears that more Britons are among those killed.
A sustained heatwave with temperatures of around 40C (104F) has caused wildfires across Southern Europe this summer, particularly in France, Portugal and Spain.
Figure caption, Firefighters battle flames as deadly wildfire rages in southern Spain
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