Wildfires in Almería kill 13 including seven Britons, dozens evacuated

Thirteen people died in wildfires that tore through Almería province, Spanish authorities confirmed.

Fires that swept across southern Spain on Thursday left 13 dead — seven of them British — officials said after post-mortem examinations completed on Tuesday. Authorities identified victims as three Belgians, one French national, one US citizen and one Spanish resident; all were adults.

Around 1,500 residents were evacuated as firefighters struggled to contain the blaze, which ultimately damaged some 7,000 hectares (17,300 acres) of land. The public body responsible for victim identification provided the nationality breakdown and confirmed the gender distribution: eight women and five men.

Families of the victims announced losses publicly. A British couple, Pete and Fran Gillam, who lived in Bédar — one of the worst-hit villages — were confirmed among the dead by their daughter. Survivors described chaotic scenes as flames advanced rapidly along hillsides.

One local resident, British national Malcolm Timbrell, 70, recounted how he sheltered in a damaged car while nearby vehicles ignited. He survived along with a cat; his wife and some friends are believed to be among the casualties.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said it is supporting British nationals affected and remains in close contact with Spanish authorities as investigations continue and families are informed.

Liberal News Analysis: What Does This Development Mean?

The human toll and scale of the fires underline growing climate-driven risks in Mediterranean Europe. Recurring heatwaves and higher average temperatures increase the frequency and intensity of extreme fire events, putting rural communities and foreign residents at heightened risk.

Beyond immediate loss, there are cascading impacts: strain on emergency services, disruption to local economies dependent on tourism and agriculture, and longer-term demographic effects if residents relocate. Authorities face pressure to strengthen prevention, land management and evacuation planning to reduce future casualties.

Quick Glance: What You Need to Know

• Thirteen people died in the Almería wildfires; seven victims were British.
• About 1,500 people were evacuated and roughly 7,000 hectares burned.
• Authorities confirmed nationalities and gender breakdown after post-mortems; investigations and family notifications are ongoing.