The daughter of a British couple who died in the Spain wildfires claims she has discovered their bones, despite already having cremated their remains. Pete and Fran Gillam died in their car after flames tore through Bédar in the Almería province on July 9. They were among 14 people, including seven British nationals, who died after 40C temperatures sparked devastating, rapid fires that swept across the countryside and devastated two towns.
Discovery at the wreckage site
Danielle Gillam-Kirton, 42, claims that Spanish police previously told her that the vehicle was so burnt out that no items were found inside, other than a small fragment of bones that were cremated at a funeral service this summer. But after going to the wreckage site herself, she said she immediately found multiple bones inside the car, along with keys, jewellery and change.
The discovery has sparked serious doubts over whether the car was ever properly searched by officers, and where the bones they were originally given came from. Describing the moment she peered inside the car and found a hip bone, Danielle told the Guardian: "I honestly can’t describe what that felt like. I remember staring at what was in my hand, and the slow realisation of what I thought I was looking at hit me. I shouted out in shock."
DNA testing and unanswered questions
She said the ordeal has compounded the grief already felt by the family, and left them wondering: "Who or what did we cremate?" The newly-found bones have now been sent off for DNA testing, a development Ms Gillam-Kirton said only came after repeated pleas to local authorities, who had initially dismissed the findings as animal bones. Later assessments suggested the bones are human, she said.
Ms Gillam-Kirton, who previously criticised what she said was a lack of proper warnings issued to people in Almería on the day of the tragedy, wants the Foreign Office back in London to put pressure on the local police for answers. The Mirror has contacted the Foreign Office for comment.
Families consider legal action
Amid questions over whether more could have been done to prevent their deaths, families of the 14 victims in Bédar are currently considering whether to launch a private prosecution against the local government, reported Spanish media. This would give them direct access, through their lawyers, to judicial files detailing how prepared the country was for a major wildfire of the type seen in Almería.
The emergency mobile phone alert system was never activated during the fires. Regional officials said that the rapid-moving nature of the fire and the limitations of the technology when it comes to targeting small areas meant that the notifications could have prompted confusion, blocking off vital routes for emergency services.
