Seven Britons Among Those Killed in Spain Wildfires
Seven British nationals died in the deadly Almería fires, with 12 of the 13 victims being foreigners, Spanish authorities confirmed following post‑mortem examinations.
The blaze, which engulfed the southern province on Thursday, has become the country’s most lethal wildfire event. The victims included two Britons – Pete and Fran Gillam – whose heartbreaking loss was confirmed by their daughter. Belgium supplied a pair of victims, while France, the United States and Spain each lost one person.
Victim profile: There were eight women and five men among the 13 deceased, all adults.
The last victim was a Spanish citizen.
A spokesperson from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office stated it was "supporting British nationals affected and their families and remain in close contact with the Spanish authorities".
Nearly 1,500 people were evacuated from the region, and firefighters battled the flames across more than 7,000 hectares (17,300 acres). The fire was contained by Sunday, though the damage to homes and forests remains extensive.
Survivor and family accounts paint a stark picture. 70‑year‑old Malcolm Timbrell, who lives in nearby Bédar, escaped in an abandoned car but later discovered that his wife and friends likely perished trying to flee. He recounted how, amid chaos, the bulk of the cars caught fire, yet he survived inside the last vehicle, holding a cat.
The incident underscores the escalating frequency of extreme heatwaves in Spain, often exceeding 40°C. Officials are calling for enhanced disaster preparedness and stronger climate‑adaptation measures across Europe.
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