Authorities confirm another fatality while search efforts continue for 10 missing people following the devastating wildfire in southern Spain.
The death toll from the devastating wildfire in southern Spain has risen to 13, making it the deadliest forest fire in Spain during the 21st century, according to Spanish authorities.
The latest victim was a 93-year-old British woman who had suffered serious injuries during the fire that swept through the community of Los Gallardos, in the province of Almería. She later died at Torrecárdenas University Hospital, where she had been receiving treatment.
Officials say several victims became trapped as the flames spread rapidly through the area, leaving little time to escape.
Ten people remain missing
Search and rescue operations continue across the burned areas as authorities confirm that 10 people are still missing.
Emergency crews are searching remote valleys and rugged terrain, while officials warn that the death toll could rise further as operations continue.
British tourists rescued from a ravine
Amid the tragedy, rescue teams carried out a dramatic overnight operation to save two British tourists.
Officers from the Spanish Civil Guard located the couple inside a ravine near the town of Bédar after hearing faint cries for help.
Both victims were semi-conscious and had suffered burns over approximately 40% of their bodies.
The rescue operation lasted nearly two hours before they were airlifted to an intensive care unit.
Authorities believe the couple had been hiking when they became trapped by the fast-moving wildfire.
Thousands of hectares destroyed
The wildfire broke out in Andalusia and quickly spread across thousands of hectares of forest and shrubland.
Extreme heat, prolonged drought and strong winds created ideal conditions for rapid fire growth, making containment efforts extremely difficult during the first hours of the emergency.
Homes and hotels evacuated
As the flames approached popular Mediterranean tourist areas, including Playa de Mayocar, authorities ordered the evacuation of nearly 1,500 residents and tourists, many of them British holidaymakers.
Homes, hotels and holiday accommodations were cleared as firefighters worked to stop the fire from reaching densely populated coastal communities.
Hundreds of firefighters remain on the front line
Around 500 firefighters and military personnel, supported by at least 20 firefighting aircraft, continue battling the remaining hotspots.
Improving weather conditions, including weaker winds and higher humidity levels, have helped firefighters gain control of much of the wildfire.
Although officials say the fire is now largely contained, emergency services remain on high alert due to the risk of flare-ups.






