A fast-moving wildfire in Spain's southern Andalusia region has killed at least 12 people, regional officials reported on Friday, calling it the deadliest blaze recorded in the area. Several more people remain unaccounted for, authorities said.

The fire broke out on Thursday afternoon near the N-340 highway in the municipality of Los Gallardos in Almeria province. Strong winds quickly fanned the flames into the neighboring municipality of Bedar. Emergency services discovered several victims trapped inside vehicles as they attempted to flee a rural hamlet.

Andalusia's regional leader Juanma Moreno told Cadena Ser radio on Friday that 19 people remained unaccounted for, according to Reuters. Regional outlet La Voz de Almeria reported this is the deadliest fire in the region's recent history, surpassing any record of deaths in both the 20th and 21st centuries.

Andalusia's acting minister for health, the presidency and emergencies, Antonio Sanz, described it as "the most devastating fire to date in our region" and called the situation "an unprecedented tragedy." "The pain is immense. Andalusia is in mourning," Sanz stated.

Six other people were injured, including a woman with severe burns and another hospitalized for smoke inhalation. About 50 evacuated residents are being sheltered at a local cultural center.

More than 300 emergency personnel, including 150 specialists from Spain's Military Emergency Unit (UME), are battling the flames. Heavy smoke forced closure of two major highways. Investigations into the cause are ongoing, with local media suggesting a downed power line may have ignited dry brush.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed "enormous sadness and devastation" on social media, urging caution. Early summer heatwaves across Western Europe have parched vast areas, making them vulnerable to wildfires. The World Meteorological Organization said Europe is warming at more than twice the global average, making prolonged heat episodes increasingly likely.

Source: www.aljazeera.com