Spain wildfires: Seven British nationals confirmed dead in Bedar blaze
Seven British citizens have been confirmed dead in devastating bushfires in southern Spain.
A spokesman for the Guardia Civil in Almeria made the announcement on Tuesday.
The total number of deaths confirmed in the fires so far is 13.
The spokesman said three Belgians died, as well as an American, a French and a Spanish citizen.
Among the dead was a 93-year-old British woman who was hospitalized on Friday after suffering burns to about 20 percent of her body.
His death was confirmed Sunday afternoon.
The bodies of all four British victims were found in a burned-out car.
Of the 13 victims, eight were women and five were men.
Regional authorities initially believed 23 people were missing, but all were later identified.
On Sunday, it was reported that two British hikers were found alive but badly burned.
The man and woman are thought to have 40 percent burns, according to Spanish national broadcaster RTVE.
The two were discovered by a Civil Guard team, who said they had already checked the area but thought they needed to return.
In an interview with RTVE, Civil Guard officers said they found two Britons alive as night fell.
“This experience we have accumulated over the years tells you: look again, try one last time, check again just in case,” Sergeant Pedro Barre told the broadcaster.
Spain has been subjected to frequent severe heatwaves in recent years, with temperatures frequently exceeding 40°C.
In June, the country experienced several days of record-breaking heat, with more than 1,000 deaths attributed to the heat.
According to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, Europe is the world’s fastest-warming continent, with temperatures rising twice as fast as the global average since the 1980s.
Meanwhile, French firefighters took the forest fire under control in the Fontainebleau region south of Paris.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: “Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the devastating bushfires in Spain.
“We are supporting affected British nationals and their families and remain in close contact with the Spanish authorities.”
