Deadly Spain wildfire leaves at least 12 dead and 23 missing, with Belgians feared among those affected

At least 12 people have been killed and 23 remain unaccounted for in a fast-moving wildfire near Los Gallardos, in the province of Almería in southern Spain, according to Spanish emergency services cited by international news agencies. It is one of Spain's deadliest wildfires in more than two decades.

Most of those killed are believed to be foreign residents who tried to flee the flames by car rather than shelter in place as the fire spread rapidly through a wooded area, according to reporting by Reuters, France 24, RTÉ and NPR. One Spanish national is among the confirmed dead.

The victims are believed to include British, Belgian and Spanish nationals, although their identities and nationalities have not yet been formally confirmed by Spanish or Belgian authorities. The area around Almería is a popular holiday destination and home to many foreign residents, especially French, British and Belgian people.

The blaze is ongoing and had not been brought under control at the time of writing. It comes as Spain endures a severe heatwave, with orange-level weather warnings issued across parts of Andalusia in recent days.

This is a developing story. Casualty figures and details of those affected may change as authorities issue updates. Belgium Impulse will update this report as verified information becomes available, and is treating all nationality claims as unconfirmed until stated by an authoritative Spanish or Belgian source.