Eleven People Dead In Wildfire In Southern Spain - Emergency Service

MOSCOW, July 10 (NNN-Sputnik/RIA Novosti) -- At least 11 people have been killed after a wildfire broke out in the province of Almeria in southern Spain on Thursday, the Andalusian emergency service told Sputnik/RIA Novosti on Friday.

"As a result of the fire, 11 people have died, not 12 as previously reported," a service representative said.

According to the emergency service, some of the victims were found inside the vehicles that were set on fire.

Andalusia's deputy head of the regional government, Antonio Sanz, said that most or all of those killed in the wildfire in Almeria may have been foreigners but stressed that this has yet to be confirmed. He added that "four people are thought to be British as the car they were found in was right-hand drive."

The regional government said that around 1,000 people were evacuated and housed in a sports pavilion in the municipality of Garrucha, as well as in a sports centre and pavilion in Mojacar.

The wildfire broke out on July 9 in the municipality of Los Gallardos in Almeria province. The fire quickly spread through the forest area and engulfed approximately 3,150 hectares (7,783 acres).

The firefighting is being hampered by difficult terrain with numerous ravines. Hundreds of specialists, aircraft, and military personnel have been deployed to combat the fire.

--NNN-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI