11 Killed in Forest Fires in Southern Spain

Madrid, July 10 (KUNA) -- Spanish state television reported on Friday that at least 11 people were killed and 19 others went missing in a wildfire in the Andalusia region of southern Spain. The television network quoted the regional autonomous government’s president, Juanma Moreno, as saying that the fire, which broke out in the province of Almeria on Thursday, also injured eight people, four of them in critical condition, and noted that most of the victims were foreign tourists. He added that the fire had so far consumed approximately 3,130 hectares, pointing out that initial indications suggest the cause may be one of the electricity transmission towers located in a rugged mountainous area dotted with scattered homes, while confirming that investigations are still ongoing. He warned that the death toll could rise as search and rescue operations continue, explaining that evacuation efforts faced significant difficulties due to the scattered nature of the homes, the large number of foreign residents, and individuals who were hiking in rural areas when the fire broke out. Moreno confirmed that around 500 emergency responders, supported by 16 amphibious helicopters, along with forest fire brigades, military emergency units, fire departments, and the Civil Guard, continued their efforts to contain the fire, which he described as “fast-spreading” in a difficult terrain. (End) H.N.D. / H.S.S.