Two British hikers were rescued alive from devastating wildfires in southern Spain after being nearly left for dead, suffering 40% burns, according to Spanish national broadcaster RTVE. The pair, a man and a woman, were found by Civil Guard officers who had a gut feeling to recheck the area near the village of Bédar in Almeria province, where at least 12 people are believed to have died.
Rescue by Civil Guard
Sergeant Pedro Barre told 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 officers called out and used whistles, eventually hearing a sound they initially thought was an echo. Rescuer Rafael Zea said the couple's injuries made it a "Titanic effort" for them to raise their voices to be heard. With help from firefighters and emergency services, the rescue took over two hours. The pair are now in serious condition in hospital, but their lives are not in danger.
Victims and Evacuations
At least four of the deceased are thought to be British, after four bodies were found in a burnt-out car with right-hand drive. Spanish authorities believe all victims were foreign tourists who attempted to escape on foot after abandoning vehicles in rugged terrain. Antonio Sanz, head of Andalusia’s emergency services, confirmed post-mortem examinations and DNA samples were collected for identification. Authorities proactively evacuated 1,448 people from about 11 areas.
Heatwave Context
Spain has experienced frequent and severe heatwaves in recent years, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C. In June, record-setting heat led to more than 1,000 excess deaths attributed to heat.
