Seven British nationals have been confirmed dead in the devastating wildfires that have ravaged southern Spain. A spokesperson for the Guardia Civil in Almeria made the announcement on Tuesday, revealing that the total confirmed death toll from the fires has now reached 13.
The victims include three Belgian nationals, an American, a French national, and a Spanish national, in addition to the seven British nationals. Among the British victims was a 93-year-old woman who suffered burns to about 20 per cent of her body and was taken to hospital on Friday. Her death was confirmed on Sunday afternoon. The bodies of another four British victims were found in a burnt-out car.
Regional authorities initially believed 23 people were missing, but they have all since been accounted for. Two British hikers, a man and a woman, were found alive but badly burned on Sunday. The pair, who suffered 40 per cent burns, were discovered by a team of Civil Guards who had already checked the area but decided to return for another look.
The discovery of the two survivors is a testament to the dedication and experience of the Civil Guards. Sergeant Pedro Barre told Spanish national broadcaster RTVE that their years of experience told them to take another look, which ultimately led to the rescue of the two British nationals.
The wildfires in Spain are the latest manifestation of the severe heatwaves that have become increasingly frequent in the country. In June, Spain experienced several days of record-setting heat, resulting in over 1,000 excess deaths attributed to the heat. Europe is the world’s fastest-warming continent, with temperatures increasing twice as fast as the global average since the 1980s, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service.
The UK Foreign Office has expressed its support for British nationals affected by the wildfires and their families, and remains in close contact with the Spanish authorities.
