Seven Britons Among 13 Killed in Deadly Wildfires in Southern Spain

International victims confirmed after devastating flames sweep through Almería province

Seven British nationals were among 13 people killed in one of Spain’s deadliest wildfires in recent years, authorities have confirmed following the completion of post-mortem examinations.

Spanish officials said on Tuesday that 12 of the victims were foreign nationals, with the majority of those killed coming from the United Kingdom. The devastating fires tore through Spain’s southern Almería province on Thursday, destroying homes and forcing thousands to flee.

According to authorities, the victims included seven people from the UK, three from Belgium, one from France, one from the United States and one Spanish citizen.

The victims were identified as eight women and five men, all adults, according to the public body responsible for the identification process.

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office confirmed it was supporting British nationals affected by the disaster and was in contact with Spanish authorities to assist families impacted by the tragedy.

Among the British victims were Pete and Fran Gillam, a couple who lived in Bédar, the village hit hardest by the wildfires. Their deaths were confirmed by their family.

Their daughter, Danielle Gillam-Kirton from Sheffield, shared the heartbreaking news on Facebook, saying the family had received confirmation from police that her parents did not survive the fire.

Other victims included Spanish geologist Pedro Rodríguez and his wife Ana Sims, an American photographer. Belgian photographer Stanislas Verdonckt was also among those killed, with his death confirmed by his son.

The wildfire forced the evacuation of nearly 1,500 people in Almería province as emergency crews battled to contain the rapidly spreading flames.

British resident Malcolm Timbrell, 70, who survived the disaster, described the terrifying moments when the fire surrounded him near his hillside home in Bédar.

Speaking outside his badly damaged property, Timbrell explained how he became separated from his wife and friends, some of whom are believed to have died.

He said he sought shelter inside abandoned vehicles as the flames approached, describing how several cars were destroyed before he found refuge in one that survived. Timbrell said he managed to escape with his cat after the final vehicle remained intact despite suffering severe heat damage.

Spain has experienced increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves in recent years, with temperatures regularly climbing above 40C. Experts have warned that extreme heat and dry conditions are increasing the risk of destructive wildfires across the country.

Authorities confirmed that the Almería wildfire has now been contained after burning through approximately 7,000 hectares (17,300 acres) of land.

The tragedy has prompted condolences from officials and communities across Spain and Europe, while investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the spread of the fire.

As families mourn the loss of loved ones, the disaster highlights the growing challenges faced by countries dealing with extreme weather events linked to rising temperatures and changing climate conditions.