Spanish officials have confirmed that the number of British people killed in the devastating wildfires in southeast Spain has risen to five, following the identification of additional victims. The High Court of Andalucia announced on Monday afternoon that three more victims had been identified, including a woman from the United Kingdom. This brings the total number of confirmed British fatalities to five, with three victims still awaiting identification.
Identification of Victims
Earlier, police had confirmed that a 93-year-old British woman died in hospital, and three of the first six victims identified through DNA tests were also from the UK. The latest identifications include a married couple of Belgian origin and the British woman. The Civil and Investigating Section of the Vera Court of First Instance has now confirmed nine identifications in total. Among the identified victims are four men and five women, eight of whom are foreign nationals and one Spanish. The nationalities of the confirmed dead include five from the United Kingdom, three from Belgium, one from France, and one Spanish citizen. All victims were adults.
Expat Couple Among the Dead
Among the British victims are expat couple Pete and Fran Gillam. Their daughter, Danielle Gillam-Kirton, who had flown to Spain from the UK after failing to reach them, confirmed the news in a heartbreaking Facebook post. She wrote: 'Natalie Gillam Lindsay and I are heartbroken to share that we have received confirmation from the police that Mum and Dad did not survive the fire. We are still trying to come to terms with this devastating news and ask for some privacy and time as we process everything. Thank you for all your love, support, and prayers over the past few days. They have meant more to us than we can ever express. We will share further details when we are able.'
Wildfire Origin and Spread
The devastating wildfire started on Thursday in Los Gallardos, in the southeastern Spanish province of Almeria, before spreading to neighbouring Bedar, where many British pensioners reside. The fire has claimed a total of 13 lives, with one victim dying in hospital. The High Court of Andalucia stated: 'During the course of the afternoon, the identification of three more victims of the Los Gallardos fire has been completed. In this case, they are a married couple of Belgian origin and a woman from the United Kingdom. With these three latest identifications, there would be three of the thirteen victims caused by the fire still to be identified, since the British woman who died in the hospital did not need to be identified.'
Survivors and Rescue Efforts
Another three Brits who suffered serious burns but survived are believed to be among the four patients airlifted to a specialist burns unit at a hospital in Seville. A British couple miraculously survived the flames after becoming trapped in a ravine during a hike. Rescuers found them semi-conscious and with 40% burns on their bodies, but alive near Bedar. The Foreign Office has been approached for comment. The victims' families have been notified in person by uniformed officers of the Guardia Civil, accompanied by a psychologist.
