Madrid, July 11 (SANA)More than 1,400 people have been evacuated from areas in Spain’s southeastern Almería province as firefighters continued efforts on Saturday to contain a large wildfire burning near the town of Los Gallardos.

The blaze remained “complex” and continued to spread,Andalusiaemergency services chief Antonio Sanz told Reuters, adding that firefighters had managed to prevent the flames from reaching a highway connecting coastal towns with large populations.

Authorities said the fire has so far scorched around 6,600 hectares of land, with firefighting operations currently focused on the western flank of the blaze, where flames remain at their most intense and are spreading rapidly.

Officials said 12 bodies were found near a forested area close to Bedar, north of Los Gallardos, where the fire broke out. The victims’ identities have not yet been confirmed, and samples have been sent toMadridfor further analysis and comparison with DNA samples provided by families of missing people.

Authorities said seven people have been officially reported missing, while eight others were injured in the fire. Four of those injured are in serious condition and are being treated at a hospital in Seville.

The wildfire spread rapidly on Friday due to strong winds, prompting authorities to carry out precautionary evacuations in several residential areas around Bedar.

More than 500 firefighters and emergency personnel are involved in efforts to bring the blaze under control.