A 93-year-old British woman has died from injuries sustained in the wildfires that ravaged Spain's southern Almería province, officials confirmed Friday. She was admitted to Torrecardenas University Hospital in Almería early Friday with burns covering 20 percent of her body and passed away later that night.
This death marks the 13th confirmed fatality from the blazes, which devastated the municipalities of Bédar and Los Gallardos. Authorities believe a significant number of the deceased were British tourists, though Belgian and French nationals are also reported among the victims. With 23 individuals still missing, the total death toll may increase.
Earlier this week, Spanish police rescued two British tourists who suffered extensive burns while hiking and became trapped in the wildfires near Bédar. Civil Guard officers located the pair after hearing faint sounds during a search for survivors.
The fires, which have reportedly now been contained, burned through approximately 7,000 hectares (17,300 acres) of land. Around 1,500 residents were evacuated from the affected areas, and approximately 600 have since been permitted to return to their homes.
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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is scheduled to visit the affected region on Monday. The Foreign Office has stated it is providing support to British nationals impacted by the wildfires and their families and is in close contact with Spanish authorities.