A private power line is believed to have caused the wildfire in Los Gallardos.

The electricity company Endesa, the main supplier in the area, and Red Eléctrica have said the power line does not belong to them.

It appears that the fire originated in a private power line that once served a now-abandoned house and restaurant.

Flames from wildfire burn through vegetation near Estepona(Image: JUAN CARLOS DOMINGUEZ/EPA/Shutterstock)

There are 220 soldiers who have joined the operation to fight the wildfire in Almeria.

A statement from the Spanish military reads: "220 soldiers and 70 vehicles from the Second Response Batallion #BIEM2 are intervening in #IFLosGallardos, in #Almería.

"Tackling the flames which continue advancing."

Footage on social media shows the terrifying spread of the wildfire in Almeria which has left at least 11 people dead and more than 20 missing.

Minister of the Presidency, Health, and Emergencies Antonio Sanz has urged people to follow the evacuation advice.

He said: "I want to make an appeal to everyone to be responsible. In an emergency, the authorities' instructions are not recommendations: they are designed to protect lives.

"If evacuation or confinement is ordered, do so immediately and following the established routes."

Firefighters battling the blaze in Los Gallardos(Image: UME/AFP via Getty Images)

Francisco Miguel Reyes, mayor of Los Gallardos, says it is like the area has been hit by a "bomb".

He said “It feels like a bomb has fallen. The fire is out of control, and the wind isn't helping. We hope it can be brought under control sometime today.

"There's a lot of property damage, but that can be repaired; lives, however, cannot.”

There is a large campsite with 400 people in the area as well as three small villages where people have been evacuated.

The wildfire close to the road in Los Gallardos(Image: INFOCA/AFP via Getty Images)

Minister of the Presidency, Health, and Emergencies Antonio Sanz, says that seven people have died after trying to escape the wildfire on foot and two others have been taken to hospital.

"There were nine people that left on foot, two have survived and seven others died. One of those is Spanish, and the others could be Belgians or British as well," said Sanz.

Four people from the UK are also feared to have died after being found in a car with a steering wheel on the right-hand side.

Map showing where the wildfires are taking place

Currently 11 people have been confirmed dead and with another death feared as well as many more missing, today's wildfire tragedy in Los Gallardos could become the worst of its kind in Spain's history.

The worst death toll up until now happened due to wildfire in Lloret de Mar, on the Costa Brava, on August 7, 1979, which claimed the lives of 21 people.

A plane dowsing flames over Los Gallardos(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Bedar Mayor Angel Francisco Collado Fernandez told how seven people died in his region after not evacuating their home.

He said that emergency services were "knocking doors telling people to leave".

He added: "One of those who didn't want to leave is alive and she said that she told nine others to stay in her home but they didn't do that - seven of those have died and the other two are being taken to the Virgen de Rocio Hospital in Seville."

The fire remains out of control(Image: UME/AFP via Getty Images)

The President of the Regional Government, Juan Manuel Moreno, says that the death toll could be as high as 12 pending confirmation of the discovery of another body.

The local government reported that 23 people are still missing.

Firefighters tackling the wildfire(Image: INFOCA via AP)

Images shared on social media show flames rising over Los Gallardos.

At least 11 people have been killed, with many more missing.

Spanish officials say they believe “most if not all” those killed in a devastating Spanish wildfire are foreign.

Antonio Sanz, Andalucia's acting Regional Minister for Health, the Presidency and Emergencies, confirmed early this morning four people “of British origin” died after being trapped by flames as they tried to flee the area in a car.”

Regional president Juanma Moreno has said 19 other people are still missing amid fears the tragedy could end up being far greater than expected.

Several Brits are thought to have died(Image: UME/AFP via Getty Images)

Antonio Sanz, Andalucia's acting Regional Minister for Health, has now said the seven people who died on foot could also include British nationals.

He said: “In that second scenario there were nine people and two managed to save themselves but seven died. One appears to have been Spanish and the seven others could be foreigners, Belgians and British nationals.”

Officials have said those found dead in their cars appear to have been trying to escape the wildfire.

The evacuation routes they had taken weren't those advised by emergency services, they added.

At least 12 people are thought to have died so far, with 19 missing.

People died trying to escape the flames(Image: x)

The President of the Regional Government of Andalusia, Juanma Moreno, confirmed the provisional death toll of 12.

He said 19 people remain unaccounted for.

The fire in Los Gallardos also led to road closures, while 1,000 residents were evacuated according to emergency services.

At least 11 people have died(Image: x)

Today's wildfire follows a separate blaze in southern France earlier this week, which led to the evacuation of over 10,000 people and injured 16, including four firefighters.

Europe is warming at more than twice the global average, the World Meteorological Organisation has said, making prolonged heat episodes increasingly likely.

Four British people are feared to have died in the wildfires after a burnt out car was discovered.

A spokesman for the Andalusia emergency services said: "In one car where four people died, it appears they are British with the car having a steering wheel on the other side."

Inital investigations indicate that tourists are among those killed in the wildfire, according to local media.

There are campsites in the Los Gallardos area including the large-scale Miraflores where people have been evacuated.

Residents also in Almocáizar, Fuente del Albarico, Los Pinos, La Serena and El Pinar de Bédar have also been told to leave their properties.

The emergency has closed the A-7 motorway northbound (from kilometre 709 to 714) and the N-340A national highway near the fire.

Minister of the Presidency, Health, and Emergencies Antonio Sanz has called an emergency and asked people to avoid the area.

He wrote on X "We have raised the @Plan_INFOCA in #Almería to emergency phase, operational situation 2, due to the evolution and potential of the #IFLosGallardos 150 EMA Infoca personnel are already working, supported by 5 fire engine vehicles

"We ask the population for maximum caution: Avoid the area. Always follow the instructions of the emergency services. Avoid risks."

There are around ‌150 firefighters trying to put out massive wildfires in the south east of Spain where 12 people have now sadly died.

Fires have swept across roads in Los Gallardos which is to the north east of Almeria.

Los Gallardos is to the north east of Almeria

Initial investigations by authorities suggest the fire may have originated from a collapsed power line and it then spread rapidly through the forest area.

Some of the fatalities were found trapped in their cars after attempting to flee via alternative routes.

Firefighters are battling the blaze which broke out in Los Gallardos, a municipality of the Almeria province in Andalusia.

"The number of people who died in the fire in Los Gallardos has risen to 12 after the confirmation of six more deaths," the regional government of Andalusia said in a statement.

A sustained heatwave with temperatures of around 40C has caused wildfires across southern Europe.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wrote on X: "Immense sadness and pain seeing the terrible impact of the fires in the province of Almería.

"I want to convey my condolences to the families of those who died in the Los Gallardos forest fire. My wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured and my solidarity with all the affected neighbors.

"Members of @mitecogob, @proteccioncivil, and the Law Enforcement and Security Forces of the State are working to combat the flames. The @UMEgob has already been mobilized. Much caution."