A fast-spreading wildfire ripped through the southern Spanish province of Almería on Thursday, killing at least 12 people, according to the Guardian. Firefighters were still struggling to bring the flames under control as doctors treated the injured and the scale of the disaster became clearer.

The Guardian reports that many of the victims were trapped in their cars as they attempted to flee the blaze. Overwhelmed authorities said eight people had been injured and that 23 others could not be accounted for in the immediate aftermath.

The fire scorched 3,800 hectares, equivalent to 9,390 acres, as it tore across the region. The rapid spread left little time for those in its path to escape, contributing to the high death toll.

Experts described the conditions behind the fire as “the worst possible combination.” According to the Guardian, the blaze was made worse by extreme heat, strong wind and plentiful dry vegetation, a mix that allowed the flames to move quickly and unpredictably.

The disaster unfolded amid a heatwave affecting southern Spain, further drying out the landscape and raising fire risk. The Guardian also noted that the hollowing out of the rural population has played a role, leaving areas more vulnerable as land management declines.

As emergency services continued their response, the combination of casualties, injuries and missing people pointed to a severe and still-developing situation across the affected area.