Spanish wildfire: Four Britons feared dead after car found burnt out in Almería

Four British people are thought to have died in a Spanish wildfire, after four bodies were found in a burnt-out car which had its steering wheel on the right.

Antonio Sanz, Andalusia’s health and emergencies minister, said the people inside the car were believed to be “of British origin”.

They were among at least 11 people who perished in the fire, authorities said on Friday.

Screengrab taken from video of part of a wildfire in Almeria, Andalucia, that has killed 11 people in southern Spain. | EMA Infoca/PA Wire

The Foreign Office confirmed it is in contact with the authorities in Spain. Downing Street said the Government was seeking more information following the “concerning” reports.

A No 10 spokeswoman said: “I’m aware of those reports and the Foreign Office are in touch with the relevant authorities in Spain.

Bodies were found near the village of Bédar, in Almería province.

Read more: Princes Street blaze shows fire service ‘can’t face more cuts’

Authorities believe the other seven victims were also foreign tourists.

They were thought to have attempted to escape on foot after apparently abandoning their vehicles and trying to flee through rugged terrain.

“The decision to take another route instead of the designated evacuation route became a fatal trap,” Mr Sanz said.

He said the victims had sought “their own way out” through a dry riverbed rather than following the route co-ordinated by emergency services.

The death toll has been revised down from an earlier figure of 12 but remains provisional as rescue teams continue to search the fire zone.

Read more: Why Princes Street fire highlights the dangers of SNP's swingeing cuts to firefighter numbers

Mr Sanz offered his condolences to the families, adding: “There are no words for so much pain.”

He said there were 11 dead, four seriously injured and eight others with less serious injuries.

Formal identification of the deceased has yet to be carried out, he added.

Mr Sanz said 122 people were evacuated and more than 3,000 hectares burnt, with the fire still active.

“The fire has been very fast, and evidently the consequences have been terrible,” he said.