Two British hikers caught up in the Spanish wildfires have been discovered alive but with severe burns. The man and woman, whose identities have not been released, are believed to have sustained 40% burns, according to Spanish national broadcaster RTVE.
Rescue by Civil Guard
The pair were located by a Civil Guard team, who revealed they had already searched the area but felt compelled to return for another look. At least 12 people are thought to have lost their lives in the blaze near the village of Bedar, in Almeria province.
At least four are believed to be British, following the discovery of four bodies in a burnt-out vehicle with a right-hand drive steering wheel. Speaking to RTVE, the Civil Guard officers explained they found the two British individuals alive just as darkness was approaching.
Sergeant Pedro Barre told the broadcaster: "That experience we accumulate over the years is what tells you: take another look, give it one last try, check again just in case."
Effort to Save the Hikers
He explained they shouted out and used whistles, before finally hearing a noise which they initially thought might have been an echo. Fellow rescuer Rafael Zea said that considering the couple's injuries, it must have required a "Titanic effort" for them to make themselves heard.
With assistance from firefighters and emergency services, they were brought to safety after more than two hours. The pair are now understood to be in a serious condition in hospital, though their lives are not thought to be at risk.
Casualties and Response
Spanish officials believe all those who perished were foreign holidaymakers, who are thought to have attempted to flee on foot after seemingly abandoning their cars and trying to escape across challenging landscape. Antonio Sanz, head of Andalusia's emergency services, previously said that authorities had completed post-mortem examinations and DNA samples were collected to identify them.
Officials proactively moved 1,448 individuals from approximately 11 locations. Spain has endured regular and intense heatwaves in recent years, with temperatures frequently surpassing 40°C.
In June, Spain witnessed several days of record-breaking heat, with more than 1,000 excess deaths attributed to heat.
