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At least 12 people have been killed and 23 others are missing in wildfires in southern Spain that emergency workers are battling to contain.
Hundreds of firefighters are trying to extinguish the blaze in Almeria. Andalusia’s health and emergencies minister, Antonio Sanz, said it is the “most devastating fire” the region has ever seen, saying the majority, or even all of the victims may have been foreign nationals.
Four of those killed were trapped inside a car, Sanz said, adding that they are believed to be British. Families have been speaking of fleeing for their lives with their children, as the flames spread in hot, dry conditions.
Lucinda Curtois who was visiting Spain with her partner and teenage children, said: “Within 15 minutes there was a tiny bit of haze, to black smoke, to flames… it was really frightening and unbelievably quick.”
A sustained heatwave with temperatures of around 40C has caused wildfires across Southern Europe this summer. Firefighters have battled major incidents in France, Portugal and Spain, with thousands forced to leave their homes.
Reeta Chakrabarti presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Nick Beake.
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