British woman becomes 13th person to die after wildfires in Spain - as blazes continue to burn

By JOSHUA HAINING, NEWS REPORTER and GERARD COUZENS Published: 22:37, 12 July 2026 | Updated: 22:38, 12 July 2026 A 93-year-old British woman has become the 13th person to die in the deadly wildfires that continue to burn through Spain. The woman was admitted to Torrecardenas University Hospital in Almería in the early hours of Friday morning with 20 per cent burns across her body. But she sadly passed away last night, officials confirmed. It is feared six Brits could have lost their lives in the wildfires that have devastated Bédar and the neighbouring municipality of Los Gallardos in southern Spain over the weekend. Authorities believe that most of the victims who died were British, but Belgian and French nationals are also thought to be among the 13 dead. However, it is believed that 23 people remain missing, meaning the death toll may rise further still.  Yesterday, Spanish Police rescued two British tourists who had suffered '40 per cent burns' after they became trapped in the Almería wildfire while hiking. Civil Guard officers found the pair after hearing faint sounds during a search for survivors as night fell near the worst-hit village of Bédar on Thursday. Flames and smoke rise from the forest fire which broke out on Thursday in southern Spain Flames stretch along a hillside as a wildfire spreads near a house in the Almería province A wall of fire sweeps across a dry hillside creating thick smoke during a massive wildfire while evacuation and firefighting efforts continue in the Los Gallardos district of Almería, Spain Sergeant Pedro Barre, one of the officers involved in the search and rescue operation, said: 'From the experience that builds up over time, there's something that tells you, 'go back and look again, try one more time".' He added: 'We heard a very faint sound, very far away but thought initially it was an echo.' The officers then used whistles and shouting to pinpoint where the sound was coming from, before they located the man and woman who were at the bottom of a ravine. After a two-hour rescue operation involving firefighters, the semi-conscious Brits were rushed to hospital where they are in intensive care. Another Civil Guard who helped find the couple, Rafael Zea, told Spanish state TV: 'The mere act of raising their voice in the state they were in was a titanic effort.' While fellow Guard, Miguel Moyano added: 'For us, it was unimaginable that there could still be life or people alive.' The fire, which has reportedly now been contained, burned through about 7,000 hectares (17,300 acres) of land. Around 1,500 people have been evacuated from the fire zone in Almería province since the wildfires erupted but now about 600 have been told they could return. Firefighters monitor a fire in the Almeria Province, where wildfires have killed at least 13 people A helicopter releases water over heavy smoke during emergency operations to contain a massive wildfire while firefighting efforts continue in Spain Scorched cars remain in Almocaizar following the Los Gallardos wildfire this week in Spain Police went door-to-door and notified residents by telephone with instructions on how to shelter or evacuate if it was required.  Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is scheduled to visit the devastated area on Monday.       A Foreign Office spokesperson said: 'Our thoughts are with all those impacted by the devastating wildfires in Spain. 'We are supporting British nationals affected and their families, and remain in close contact with the Spanish authorities.'