Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes in Marbella and the surrounding area during the night as a wildfire rages uncontrolled with flames up to 30 metres tall.
The fire was first reported at around 18:00 last night. The fire is affecting parts of Marbella, Mijas and the village of Ójen with thousands evacuated from homes and hotels as a security measure. The AP-7 between Marbella and Ójen is closed and the blaze is threatening the Hospital Costa del Sol in Marbella.
Two people have been seriously injured and the initial estimate is that around 600 hectares have been affected by the blaze, although this figure is expected to rise considerably.
Urbanisations such as Elviria, Loma de Las Palmas and El Rosario have been evacuated as well as almost the entire population of Ójen, most being relocated to Monda and the Antonio Serrano Lima Pavillion in Marbella.
Aerial bombardment of the blaze started again at dawn but mobilisation of firefighting units has apparently not been an easy task. Five municipalities have so far been affected by the fire.