A 93-year-old British woman has been confirmed as the 13th victim of a devastating wildfire in Andalusia, southern Spain, authorities announced on Sunday. The pensioner, who suffered burns to approximately 20 percent of her body, died in hospital, raising the death toll from the blaze that ripped through a village last week.
The fire had already claimed 12 lives, many believed to be British and Belgian. Four additional bodies were discovered in a burnt-out car; due to the vehicle's right-hand steering wheel, authorities suspect they were British nationals.
Miraculous Rescue of Two British Hikers
In a separate incident on Sunday, rescuers found two badly burned British hikers alive in a ravine. The pair, a man and a woman, suffered 40 percent burns to their bodies. They were discovered by a team of Civil Guards who had previously checked the area but decided to return.
Sergeant Pedro Barre told Spanish national broadcaster RTVE: "That experience we accumulate over the years is what tells you: take another look, give it one last try, check again just in case." The team called out and used whistles before hearing a sound they initially thought was an echo.
Rafael Zea, another rescuer, said given the couple's injuries, it must have taken a "Titanic effort" for them to raise their voices to be heard. With help from firefighters and emergency services, the hikers were rescued after more than two hours. They remain in serious condition in hospital, but their lives are not believed to be in danger.
Victims Believed to be Foreign Tourists
Spanish authorities believe all victims were foreign tourists who attempted to escape on foot after abandoning their vehicles and fleeing through rugged terrain. Antonio Sanz, head of Andalusia's emergency services, confirmed that post-mortem examinations have been completed and DNA samples collected for identification.
Spain has experienced frequent and severe heatwaves in recent years, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C. In June, the country recorded several days of record-setting heat, with more than 1,000 excess deaths attributed to high temperatures.
