A British couple was found with serious burns and in a semi-conscious state in a ravine in Spain, amidst devastating wildfires that have swept through the Almería province, according to local reports.
The pair was on holiday in the area and is believed to have gone hiking when they were caught by the wildfire, which has claimed the lives of at least 13 people and scorched over 6,000 hectares. At least 23 individuals are reported missing.
The tourists were located by Spanish Civil Guard agents who were searching the charred landscape near Bédar, the area hardest hit by the fire, for survivors. The couple was found in critical condition, semi-conscious and with severe burns covering about 40% of their bodies. They were airlifted to a hospital in a rescue operation lasting two hours.
They remain hospitalized in intensive care. “The fact that they managed to call for help in their condition was a titanic effort,” stated one of the rescuers.
Tourists Caught in One of Spain’s Deadliest Wildfires
Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla, president of the Andalusian regional government, announced a day prior that the fire perimeter had been secured.
At least 1,400 individuals have been evacuated from their homes due to the fire, which has seen the deployment of over 500 firefighters and emergency service personnel.
Most of the victims are believed to be British and Belgian citizens, alongside one Spanish national. Forensic specialists in Madrid are using samples taken from the bodies of the deceased and DNA samples provided by families of the missing to identify the victims.
This marks one of the deadliest wildfires in Spain’s history, with officials stating that the extent of the damage has left the landscape looking as if “a bomb has exploded.” An expert noted that extremely dry weather, driven by strong winds and multiple heatwaves exacerbated by the climate crisis, has turned the area into a “ticking time bomb” for wildfire risks.
