A British couple suffered severe burns and had to be rescued from a ravine while wildfires raged through Spain's Almeria province. The pair were found semi-conscious with burns covering approximately 40% of their bodies.
This incident occurred amidst a persistent heatwave across Southern Europe, with temperatures reaching around 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). The intense heat has contributed to widespread wildfires, particularly affecting France, Portugal, and Spain.
In the Almeria region, the scale of the devastation was palpable. The mayor of Los Gallardos described the fire's impact as feeling "like a bomb has fallen," noting it was the most devastating fire the area had ever faced. Hundreds of firefighters, military personnel, law enforcement officers, and 30 aircraft were deployed to combat the blaze.
The wildfires have led to fatalities, with at least 12 people confirmed dead in Spain. Forensic scientists are working to identify victims using DNA samples from deceased individuals and their relatives, a process complicated by family members traveling from abroad to provide samples. This makes the current wildfire season one of the deadliest in Spanish history, comparable to fires in 1984 on the Canary Island of La Gomera, which killed 20 people, and a 1979 forest fire near Lloret de Mar that claimed 21 lives, including nine children.
France has also experienced significant wildfires this summer, with over 10,000 people evacuated from their homes in the foothills of the French Pyrenees. Authorities have arrested 32 individuals on suspicion of starting fires.
Climate change is recognized as a significant factor contributing to the increased frequency and intensity of heatwaves and wildfires. Europe is warming at twice the global average, according to the Copernicus climate service, leading to greater pressure on water supplies and more extreme fire conditions.