The death toll from the devastating wildfire in Almeria, southern Spain has risen to 12, with 19 people still missing, and officials say they believe ‘most if not all’ those killed are foreign
Spanish authorities have stated they believe “most if not all” of those who perished in a catastrophic Spanish wildfire are foreign. Antonio Sanz, Andalucia’s acting Regional Minister for Health, the Presidency and Emergencies, confirmed early this morning that four individuals “of British origin” lost their lives after becoming trapped by flames while attempting to escape the area in a car.
The confirmed death toll currently stands at 11 and is anticipated to rise to 12 shortly, but regional president Juanma Moreno has stated that 23 other individuals remain unaccounted for, sparking fears that the disaster could prove far worse than initially expected.
Mr Sanz stated: “As far as the fatalities go, everything is pointing to most if not all of those who died being foreigners, although of course that can’t be confirmed until we have positive IDs.”
Earlier, upon confirming that four Britons appeared to be among the deceased, he said: “Unfortunately the decision of some people to take evacuation routes that weren’t those indicated by the emergency services and take an alternative route became a mortal trap. There were two scenarios like that specifically.
“One was a vehicle in which four people died with everything pointing to them being of British origin. Their steering wheel was on the other side to the side they normally are in Spain.”
In a later press briefing, Mr Sanz revealed the seven people who fled on foot could also include British nationals.. He said: “In that second scenario there were nine people and two managed to save themselves but seven died.
“One appears to have been Spanish and the seven others could be foreigners, Belgians and British nationals.”
Mr Sanz offered his condolences to the families, adding: “There are no words for so much pain.”
He said there were 11 dead, four seriously injured and eight others with less serious injuries.
Formal identification of the deceased has yet to be carried out, he added.
Mr Sanz said 122 people were evacuated and more than 3,000 hectares burnt, with the fire still active.
“The fire has been very fast, and evidently the consequences have been terrible,” he said.
A Civil Guard chief for the area said in a press address just after midday local time: “Finding these (missing) people is our number one priority at the moment.
“That’s why we’re conducting a search in the areas where the fire has been extinguished.
“Civil Guard mountain search and rescue experts are taking part in that search along with officers from special units using specialist vehicles.”
Red Cross spokesman Fran Vicente said: “We are receiving a lot of calls.
“There’s a large foreign population and especially a lot of British nationals, in the area affected by the fire.
“They’re ringing to try to find out information about their relatives because they can’t locate them and we’re trying to give them the correct information and the peace of mind they need through coordination with the forces of law and order.”
