British Couple Rescued from Ravine After Spain Wildfires
A British couple were found semi-conscious and badly burned in a ravine after being caught in the deadly wildfires that swept through Spain's Almeria province, according to local media reports.
The couple are believed to have been hiking when the blaze rapidly spread through the province on Thursday. They were evacuated and taken to hospital where they remain in intensive care.
Hundreds of firefighters have been battling the fires, which have resulted in 12 fatalities, including four individuals believed to be British nationals. The fires have consumed approximately 6,600 hectares (16,300 acres), according to local authorities.
The identities of the deceased have not yet been officially confirmed.
Rescue Operation Near Bédar
The couple were discovered by Civil Guard officers conducting searches for survivors near the worst-affected village of Bédar in the early hours of Friday morning.
Sergeant Pedro Barre, one of the rescuers, recounted that they heard distant cries for help.
"As you gain more experience, something inside you tells you, 'Look again, try one more time,'" he told Spain's TVE state broadcaster.
The rescue team followed the sound and descended a hillside, finding the couple in critical condition, semi-conscious, with severe burns covering 40% of their bodies.
"Being able to call out in the condition they were in was a titanic effort," said Rafael Zea, another officer involved in the operation.
"We'll never forget that look of surprise and emotion on their faces," Barre added.
Firefighting Progress and Evacuations
On Saturday, authorities reported significant progress in containing the fires. Calmer winds and increased humidity were expected to aid firefighting efforts.
Approximately 600 of the nearly 1,500 evacuees from the Almería province fire zone were permitted to return, according to regional emergency chief Antonio Sanz.
Community Impact and Restrictions
The Los Gallardos area, home to many foreign residents, has been heavily affected.
On Sunday, dozens gathered at a roundabout below Bédar, awaiting permission to return to their homes. Many expressed uncertainty about the status of their properties.
Access was restricted by blue police tape and Civil Guard traffic officers.
Among those waiting were Mike and Belinda Lithgoe from Cornwall, owners of a holiday property nearby. They have been staying in their camper van with their dog, Rocket, since the fires began.
They were scheduled to check on their home during a one-hour window following a meeting involving the village mayor and emergency services.
"We're waiting to see if our house is still there," said Belinda.
She added, "I'm hopeful because the smoke was on the other side of the mountain as we were fleeing."
Mike commented, "It's impossible to know. You hope it will have gone down the ravine and round rather than up through the village."
Emma Mitchell and her husband were also waiting nearby. Emma challenged earlier local authority statements suggesting some victims had not followed designated evacuation routes.
"We've lived here for three years full time and there has never been information that you should take this road if there is a fire, never," she said.
She criticized the absence of a mass text alert to residents.
"I think they should have done the mobile alert, as they do for earthquakes. I know they said that it was too technical and complex… but the reality is, out here in Bédar, there are very few officials."
Local officials previously explained that no alert was issued on Thursday night to avoid reaching people outside the affected area, which could have complicated evacuations.
Emma praised the efforts of local police and firefighters, noting their visits to many residents as the fire spread.
Scale and Historical Context of the Wildfires
The fire has scorched 6,600 hectares (16,300 acres) of land.
A sustained heatwave with temperatures near 40C (104F) has contributed to wildfires across Southern Europe this summer, notably in France, Portugal, and Spain.
On Friday, Los Gallardos mayor Francisco Miguel Reyes described the devastation to Spanish radio station Cadena SER.
"It feels like a bomb has fallen on the area," he said.
"This is the first time we've faced a fire as devastating as this."
Hundreds of firefighters, military personnel, law enforcement officers, and 30 aircraft continue to respond to the blaze.
Forensic scientists in Madrid are working to identify victims using DNA samples from bodies and families of the missing. The process has been delayed due to difficulties in obtaining samples from relatives traveling from abroad.
With at least 12 fatalities, this wildfire ranks among the deadliest in Spanish history. Past deadly fires include the 1984 blaze on La Gomera in the Canary Islands, which killed 20 people, and a 1979 forest fire near Lloret de Mar in northeastern Spain that resulted in 21 deaths, including nine children.
Climate Change and Regional Impact
Climate change is increasing global temperatures, with Europe warming twice as fast as the global average, according to the Copernicus climate service. This trend is causing more frequent summer heatwaves, increased strain on water supplies, and more intense wildfires.
France has also experienced significant wildfires this summer. On Monday, over 10,000 people were evacuated from homes in the French Pyrenees foothills. French authorities reported on Saturday that 32 individuals had been arrested on suspicion of starting some of these fires.
Additional reporting by Kostas Kallergis
