Seven Britons Among 13 Killed in Spain Wildfires

Casualties Include Seven Britons and International Victims

Thirteen people died in Spain’s wildfires, including seven Britons, as firefighters contained the blaze that scorched 7,000 hectares, according to the BBC. The fire, which began in Almería province, also claimed victims from Belgium, France, and the U.S., with one Spanish citizen among the dead. The public body responsible for identifying victims confirmed 13 deaths, including eight women and five men, all adults, as cited by AFP and local media. Seven of the victims were British, three from Belgium, one from France, one from the U.S., and one Spanish citizen, according to the BBC, which cited AFP and local media.

Survivor’s Ordeal in Bédar Village

Among the British nationals who died were couple Pete and Fran Gillam, who lived in Bédar, the village that bore the brunt of the wildfires. Their deaths were confirmed by their family. Posting on Facebook, their daughter Danielle Gillam-Kirton, from Sheffield, said the family were “heartbroken to share that we have received confirmation from the police that Mum and Dad did not survive the fire.” Nearly 1,500 people were evacuated from Almería province as firefighters battled the flames. British man Malcolm Timbrell, 70, who lives in Bédar and survived the fires, spoke to the BBC outside his destroyed home high on the hillside. His wife and friends are believed to be among those killed during the wildfires. Timbrell described the moment he was separated from the group, and attempted to take refuge in some abandoned cars: “Of the six cars, four of them instantly combusted and as each one started to go, I moved back one car. For some reason of fate, the last two cars, although very, very badly singed and paint bubbled and burnt, survived. And I survived inside the last one with a cat.”

Fire Scorching 7,000 Hectares Amid Heatwave

A combination of light winds and high humidity are helping crews but the sheer size of the fire still poses challenges, an official said. The fire has scorched some 66 square kilometres of forest and farmland, about the size of Manhattan. Sanz said fire crews carried out controlled burns overnight around the perimeter of the fire, which broke out late Thursday in a semi-arid area near the Sierra de Los Filabres mountains in Almería province, just as Spain was sizzling. Most of the victims, who are believed to be foreign nationals, died after ignoring shelter-in-place instructions, authorities said. Seven people died while on foot after abandoning their cars. Four of the dead were believed to be British because the steering wheel of their burned-out car was on the right side, as with British vehicles, regional authorities said.

Discrepancies in Death Toll Reports

Spain has battled frequent and severe heat waves in recent years, with temperatures often exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. The fire, which has now been contained, burned through about 7,000 hectares (17,300 acres) of land, authorities said. The fire, which has now been contained, burned through about 7,000 hectares (17,300 acres) of land, authorities said. Spain has suffered frequent and severe heatwaves in recent years, with temperatures often exceeding 40C.

Survivors Describe Chaos and Loss

The public body responsible for identifying the victims added that the 13 people who died are eight women and five men, all adults. The last victim was a Spanish citizen. Four of the dead were believed to be British due to the right-hand drive of their burned cars, according to regional authorities.

Heatwaves Fuel Wildfire Risks

Malcolm Timbrell, a 70-year-old British resident of Bédar, survived the fire by taking refuge in a car that did not combust. “Of the six cars, four of them instantly combusted and as each one started to go, I moved back one car,” he told the BBC. “And I survived inside the last one with a cat.” His wife and friends are believed to have perished, though no official confirmation has been released. The BBC also shared a heartfelt message from Danielle Gillam-Kirton, daughter of British victims Pete and Fran Gillam, who wrote, “We are heartbroken to share that we have received confirmation from the police that Mum and Dad did not survive the fire.” The fire, which broke out late Thursday in a semi-arid area near the Sierra de Los Filabres mountains, was contained after firefighters conducted controlled burns overnight around the perimeter.

Spain has experienced frequent and severe heatwaves in recent years, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C. The fire occurred as the country faced another intense heatwave, exacerbating the risk of wildfires. The fire, which has now been contained, burned through about 7,000 hectares (17,300 acres) of land, authorities said.

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