Authorities in Bedar said some of those who had died had not taken a recommended evacuation route, but it is unclear how well that guidance was conveyed.

Neither the Spanish authorities – nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in London – have revealed the identity of the deceased.

Sanz said the rapid shooting had been complex and that most or even all of the victims may have been foreign nationals.

The Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maxime Prévot, stated that many Belgians have second homes in the country and that the consular services are trying to contact “Belgians with whom they have not been able to contact.”

The Andalusian affiliate of national meteorological agency AEMET said conditions would be “quite more favorable” on Saturday, with moderate wind and cooler air.

With at least 12 people dead, this is already among the deadliest forest fires in Spanish history.

In 1984, 20 people died in a fire on the Canary island of La Gomera, while in 1979, 21 people, including nine children, died in a forest fire near Lloret de Mar in northeastern Spain.

Climate change is raising temperatures around the world, and Europe is the fastest warming continent: warming twice as fast as the global average, according to the Copernicus climate service.

This is leading to an increase in summer heatwaves, greater pressure on Europe’s water supply and more intense wildfires.