Seven Britons Among Those Killed in Spain Wildfires

Seven Britons were among those killed in the deadly wildfires in southern Spain, authorities have confirmed.

Twelve of the 13 victims were foreign nationals, Spanish authorities said after post‑mortem examinations, according to local media and AFP.

The wildfires, which tore through Spain's Almería province on Thursday, have become one of the country's deadliest. Nearly 1,500 people were evacuated from the area while firefighters battled the flames.

The 13 deaths include eight women and five men, all adults, as the national body responsible for identifying victims added. Among the British casualties were Pete and Fran Gillam, a couple who lived in Bédar, the village that endured the worst of the blaze. Their daughter, Danielle Gilam‑Kirton, said the family were heartbroken to share we have received confirmation from the police that Mum and Dad did not survive the fire.

Survivor Malcolm Timbrell, 70, who lives in Bédar, spoke to the BBC outside his destroyed home on a hillside. His wife and friends are believed to be among those killed during the fires. He described his ordeal: of six cars in the chaos, four ignited instantly; the last two cars, though severely damaged, survived and kept him safe inside one while he kept a cat with him.

Spain has suffered frequent and severe heatwaves in recent years, with temperatures often exceeding 40C. The wildfire, which is now contained, burned about 7,000 hectares of land, authorities said. The tragedy prompts increased scrutiny of fire preparedness as climate extremes grow.