Juanma Moreno has praised the ‘solidarity’ shown by local residents in Almeria as he visited the wildfire-ravaged region of Los Gallardos on Friday.

In videos shared from the disaster zone on Friday, Moreno met with firefighters, emergency commanders and volunteers as efforts continued to contain what has become the deadliest wildfire in Andalucia’s history.

‘The solidarity of Andalucians has been evident from the very first moment,’ Moreno wrote on X.

‘Their help adds to the admirable work of all the professionals. This is Andalucía. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.’

Earlier, the regional leader shared footage from the Advanced Command Post, where emergency teams are coordinating one of the largest firefighting operations ever mounted in the region.

‘We are analysing the latest situation at the Advanced Command Post,’ he wrote.

‘There are 30 aircraft and hundreds of personnel fighting the fire. My gratitude goes to all the teams for their dedication, unity and cooperation. Stay strong.’

The wildfire has so far left 12 people dead, eight injured, with 23 people still reported missing as emergency crews continue searching the affected area.

Hundreds of firefighters, military personnel and emergency workers remain deployed across the disaster zone, while dozens of aircraft continue attacking the blaze from the air.

In an earlier post on X on Friday morning, the President of Andalucia described the consequences of the wildfire as ‘devastating’.

‘We are all focused on helping those affected and emergency crews are working tirelessly to contain the wildfire as quickly as possible. Please take extreme care.’

Authorities have warned that the number of fatalities could still increase while searches continue.

Earlier on Friday, the Junta confirmed that the victims were found after attempting to flee the flames near Bedar.

Several were discovered inside vehicles and others after abandoning their cars and trying to escape on foot.

Authorities believe many of the victims were foreign nationals, apparently British, although formal identification is still underway.

One of Andalucia’s worst fire disasters

The wildfire remains active, with hundreds of firefighters, military personnel and aircraft continuing efforts to contain the flames.

More than 1,000 people have been evacuated, over 3,000 hectares have burned, and dozens of homes have been threatened as the fire swept through the Levante Almeriense.

The cause of the wildfire remains under investigation, although emergency services have said multiple witnesses reported seeing a fallen electricity cable before the blaze rapidly spread into nearby woodland.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.