Seven Britons among 12 foreign nationals killed in Spain’s deadly wildfires

Authorities in Spain have confirmed that 12 of the 13 people who died in the recent wildfires in Andalusia were foreign nationals. Among those confirmed deceased are seven British citizens, three Belgians, one French national, and one American. The final victim was a Spanish citizen. All 13 victims were adults.

The fires began last Thursday in the Almería province. High temperatures combined with strong winds created conditions that allowed the fire to spread rapidly across 7,000 hectares of land. The blaze started when an electrical cable fell onto a road in the area.

Reports indicate that the victims were caught in the path of the fire while attempting to evacuate. Some individuals died in their vehicles as they tried to reach safety. Pete and Fran Gillam, a British couple living in the village of Bédar, are among those identified by police. Emergency services utilized DNA testing to confirm the identities of the victims due to the severity of the burns sustained during the incident.

While the fires are now under control and residents have returned to their homes, the event marks a significant tragedy for the region. Spain has seen an increase in heatwaves and extreme temperatures in recent years, which contributes to the frequency and intensity of forest fires across the country. The 2025 fire season saw over 393,000 hectares destroyed, reflecting a difficult trend for the area.