MADRID, July 11. /Dunyo IA/. Emergency services in Spain continue to battle a major wildfire in the country’s southeast that has claimed at least 12 lives, reports Dunyo IA correspondent, citing the Spanish news agency EFE.

According to official data, 23 people remain missing. Authorities have warned that the death toll could rise. Hundreds of firefighters and emergency personnel have been deployed to contain the blaze.

The wildfire spread rapidly on July 9 in Almería amid extreme heat reaching 40°C, strong winds, and dry conditions. A fallen power line is considered the preliminary cause of the fire.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and the Spanish royal family expressed their condolences to the families of the victims and thanked emergency responders for their efforts to contain the wildfire.