Emergency crews in southern Spain are continuing efforts to contain one of the country’s deadliest wildfires after at least 12 people lost their lives and 23 others were reported missing.

The fire, which broke out near the municipality of Los Gallardos in Almería province on Thursday, spread rapidly due to scorching temperatures, dry vegetation and strong winds. Hundreds of firefighters, emergency responders and specialist teams remain on the ground, focusing on extinguishing remaining hotspots around the village of Bedar.

Spanish authorities confirmed that four of those killed were believed to be British nationals. The victims were discovered inside a burnt vehicle, although officials have not released their identities. Another 23 people remain unaccounted for, raising fears that the death toll could increase.

Authorities in the region said many of the victims may have been foreign residents, as the area is home to a large international community. Belgium’s foreign ministry has also begun efforts to locate several of its citizens who have not yet been contacted.

Officials said some residents failed to follow the recommended evacuation routes, though it remains unclear how effectively the evacuation instructions were communicated before the fire intensified.

Investigators are looking into the cause of the blaze. Initial reports suggested a fallen power line may have sparked the fire, but electricity providers have disputed that claim, saying there is no evidence linking their infrastructure to the incident.

Among those forced to flee was British tourist Lucinda Curtois, who described seeing a massive column of smoke rising into the sky shortly after arriving in Spain with her family. She said the fire spread with alarming speed and expressed concern that more British citizens may have died.

Weather officials expect conditions to improve slightly, with cooler temperatures and lighter winds forecast, which could help firefighters bring the blaze under control.

The tragedy is already among Spain’s deadliest wildfire disasters in decades. Previous major incidents include a 1984 wildfire on La Gomera in the Canary Islands that claimed 20 lives and a 1979 forest fire near Lloret de Mar that killed 21 people, including several children.

The wildfire comes amid another summer of extreme heat across southern Europe, with Spain, Portugal and France all experiencing severe heatwaves. Scientists have repeatedly warned that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of prolonged heat, drought and destructive wildfires across the continent.