Seven British nationals have died in devastating wildfires sweeping through southern Spain, the Guardia Civil in Almeria confirmed on Tuesday, as the total death toll from the blaze reached 13. Among those killed was a 93-year-old British woman, who died in hospital after suffering burns to around 20 per cent of her body.
According to the Guardia Civil spokesperson, the wider death toll includes three Belgian nationals, along with one American, one French and one Spanish victim, alongside the seven Britons. Of the 13 people confirmed dead, eight were women and five were men. The 93-year-old British victim had been taken to hospital on Friday with severe burns, and her death was confirmed on Sunday afternoon.
Missing persons all accounted for
Regional authorities had initially feared that 23 people were missing in the aftermath of the fire, but confirmed that all have since been accounted for, meaning there are no outstanding missing-person cases linked to the blaze. Among those initially feared missing were two British hikers, who were found alive on Sunday despite suffering severe burns. According to Spanish national broadcaster RTVE, the man and woman are thought to have suffered burns to around 40 per cent of their bodies. The pair were located by a team of Civil Guards who, despite having already searched the area, said they had a feeling they should return, a decision that ultimately led to the hikers being found and taken for specialist medical treatment.
One of Spain’s deadliest wildfires in years
The blaze ranks among the deadliest wildfires to hit Spain in recent years, with authorities continuing to assess the full scale of the destruction across the south of the country. Hundreds of firefighters have been deployed to contain the fire, supported by water-dropping aircraft and helicopters, as crews battle extreme heat and strong winds. Emergency services have evacuated residents and tourists from a number of high-risk areas, as flames threatened homes and holiday accommodation across the region.
Conditions remain dangerous
Officials have warned that high temperatures, dry vegetation and gusty winds continue to create dangerous wildfire conditions, raising the risk of further outbreaks in the coming days. Investigators are continuing to examine the cause of the fire, while emergency crews remain on the ground working to tackle remaining hotspots and prevent flare-ups. Spanish authorities have urged the public to avoid affected areas, comply with any evacuation orders in place, and follow official safety guidance as firefighting operations continue.
