King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia and Princess Leonor observe a minute of silence for 11 victims of a deadly wildfire in southern Spain.
MADRID: Spain’s King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia and their two daughters observed a minute of silence Friday for the victims of a wildfire in the south of the country that claimed at least 11 lives.
The king cut short his appearance at a ceremony marking the completion of his eldest daughter Princess Leonor’s military training to express condolences to those affected by the disaster in Almeria.
“From this place, located some 150 kilometres (90 miles) from where this tragedy occurred, we want to convey our condolences, our affection and our support to all those who have lost loved ones,” the king said at the event at the San Javier air base in Murcia.
The monarch said he would not attend a reception scheduled after the ceremony, calling the decision the “appropriate” one given the scale of the tragedy.
“We know that the fire remains very active and that the effort to put it out is immense and will continue for a long time,” he added.
The blaze broke out Thursday afternoon near Almeria, in Andalusia, sweeping through a tourist area and trapping people as they tried to flee by car or on foot. Authorities said the death toll could rise, with 19 people still unaccounted for.
Around 500 firefighters were working Friday to contain the flames and search for possible additional victims. About 600 people have been evacuated from the area, while officials warned conditions could worsen if winds shifted.
Spain has been experiencing a period of extreme heat, creating conditions favourable for the rapid spread of wildfires across the country.
