Two British tourists have been found alive with extensive burns after becoming trapped in one of Spain's most severe wildfires. The pair, who were hiking, were discovered at the bottom of a ravine during a two-hour rescue operation. They sustained burns to approximately 40% of their bodies and have been transferred to a specialist major burns unit in Seville for treatment.
The wildfire broke out late Thursday in a semi-arid region near the Sierra de Los Filabres mountains in Almería province. The blaze has resulted in at least 12 fatalities, with authorities warning the death toll could rise. Among the deceased are believed to be four British nationals, identified by the right-hand side steering wheel of their burned-out car.
Emergency services reported hearing a "very faint sound" during the search, initially mistaking it for an echo, which led rescuers to the couple. Civil Guard officers described the effort to find them as immense, noting that the victims' ability to even raise their voices was a "titanic effort."
Wildfire Devastation and Rescue Efforts
The fire has consumed over 3,200 hectares (7,900 acres) of forest and farmland. Hundreds of firefighters and soldiers have been deployed to combat the blaze, which has been difficult to contain due to the steep, dry terrain. The region, covered in scrubland and dry grass, has been described as "a ticking time bomb" due to high temperatures and wind.
Spanish authorities have stated that most of the victims died after ignoring shelter-in-place instructions. Some individuals attempted to escape via a dry riverbed that subsequently became a "death trap." Seven people died on foot after abandoning their vehicles.
In addition to the rescued couple, another British woman is among four people being treated for burns in Seville. She was airlifted to the Virgen del Rocio University Hospital after being seriously injured in the wildfire. Her husband and the British Embassy have been informed, though she has been heavily sedated.
Broader Context of Heatwaves and Wildfires
The wildfire occurs amidst a significant heatwave across Spain, with temperatures triggering orange weather warnings. This event is part of a broader pattern of increasingly frequent and severe heatwaves in the region. In June, Spain recorded record-setting heat, contributing to over 1,000 excess deaths. Europe, as a whole, is warming at twice the global average, making such extreme weather events more likely. This marks the third heatwave in six weeks for parts of Western Europe, following 2025 being recorded as the third-hottest year globally.