Wildfire in Southern Spain Kills at Least 12, 19 Missing

At least 12 people have died and 19 others are missing in a wildfire in southern Spain, Andalusia's regional leader Juanma Moreno has said.

Another local official said early indications suggested four of the victims are British.

Hundreds of people are trying to contain the fire, which is thought to have been caused by a downed power line and spread to a wooded area around Los Gallardos, Almería.

A sustained heatwave with temperatures of around 40C (104F) has caused wildfires across southern Europe this summer.

Hundreds of firefighters are battling major incidents in France, Portugal and Spain, with thousands forced to leave their homes.

The bodies of the 11 victims were found in and around the small village of Bédar, just outside Los Gallardos.

Antonio Sanz, Andalusia's health and emergencies minister, said the fire had been complex and rapid and the majority or even all of the victims may have been foreign nationals. The regional government had given an earlier death toll of 12, although Sanz said the number was provisional.

Four people were found trapped in their car, said Sanz, while other victims were found elsewhere, apparently trying to escape the flames. He said the four in the car were believed to be "of British origin" and that the car had a steering wheel on the right.

BBC News has contacted the UK Foreign Office.

Regional president Juanma Moreno said the deaths were a tragedy and he warned that the death toll could rise significantly. "Our hearts are heavy and we are devastated by grief," he posted on social media.

Among those injured was a person who was taken to hospital with smoke inhalation, and another who suffered burns. Four people were treated at the scene for minor burns and respiratory problems caused by the heavy smoke.

The fire also led to road closures, while 1,000 residents were evacuated, according to emergency services.