Officials in Bedar said some of those who had died had not taken a recommended evacuation route – but it’s not clear how well that guidance was conveyed.

Neither the Spanish authorities – nor the Foreign Office in London – have revealed the identity of the deceased.

Sanz said the rapid fire had been complex and the majority or even all of the victims may have been foreign nationals.

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said many Belgians had second homes in the country and consular services were trying to contact “Belgians with whom they have not been able to get in touch”.

The Andalusian branch of national weather agency AEMET said conditions were due to be “rather more favourable” on Saturday, with moderate wind and cooler air.

With at least 12 people dead, this is already among the deadliest wildfires in Spanish history.

In 1984, 20 people died in a fire on the Canary Island of La Gomera, while in 1979, 21 people, including nine children, died in a forest fire near Lloret de Mar in north-eastern Spain.

Climate change is driving up temperatures around the world, and Europe is the fastest warming continent, heating up twice as fast as the global average, according to the Copernicus climate service.

This is causing increased summer heatwaves, greater pressure on Europe’s water supply, and more intense wildfires.