British couple rescued after being trapped in deadly Spain wildfires

A British couple who were caught in the devastating wildfires sweeping through southern Spain have been rescued after spending hours trapped in a ravine with severe burns. The pair were found alive by emergency teams in Almeria province and remain in intensive care as authorities continue to deal with one of the country’s deadliest wildfire disasters in recent years.

According to local reports, the couple had been hiking when the fast moving fire spread across the area on Thursday. Civil Guard officers searching for survivors near the village of Bédar heard faint cries for help during the early hours of Friday and followed the sound into a steep ravine.

The rescue team discovered the couple in critical condition. Both were semi conscious and had suffered serious burns across around 40 percent of their bodies. They were immediately evacuated to hospital for emergency treatment.

One of the officers involved in the operation, Sergeant Pedro Barre, said experience encouraged the team to continue searching even when conditions were difficult. He said they decided to check the area one more time, which ultimately led them to the injured hikers. Another officer, Rafael Zea, said it was remarkable that the couple had enough strength to call for help despite the severity of their injuries. Barre added that the emotional moment of finding them alive would remain with the rescue team forever.

The wildfires have already claimed at least 12 lives, making them among the deadliest in Spain’s history. Local authorities have not yet officially identified those who died, although reports suggest that four of the victims may be British nationals. More than 6,600 hectares of land have been destroyed as the flames spread rapidly through the province.

Firefighters have made significant progress in containing the blaze after calmer weather and higher humidity helped slow its advance. Andalusia regional leader Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla announced that the fire had been contained and its perimeter secured, allowing emergency officials to lower the alert level.

Around 1,500 residents were evacuated from communities threatened by the fire. By the weekend, about 600 people had been allowed to return home, while many others continued waiting for permission to check on their properties.

Among those anxiously waiting were Mike and Belinda Lithgoe from Cornwall, who own a holiday home near the affected area. The couple had been staying in a camper van with their dog after fleeing the fire. They said they hoped their home had escaped damage but would not know until authorities allowed residents to return.

Another local resident, Emma Mitchell, questioned the emergency response, saying there had never been clear guidance about evacuation routes in the event of a wildfire. She also criticised the decision not to send mobile phone emergency alerts, arguing that such warnings could have reached more people in time. Local officials defended their decision, saying a wider alert might have complicated evacuation efforts by affecting people outside the immediate danger zone.

Hundreds of firefighters, military personnel, police officers, and aircraft remain involved in recovery operations. Forensic experts are also working to identify those who died using DNA samples collected from victims and their families, although the process has been slowed because relatives have travelled from several different countries.

The disaster comes during an intense summer heatwave that has affected much of southern Europe. Spain, Portugal, and France have all experienced destructive wildfires as prolonged high temperatures and dry conditions continue to fuel large blazes. Scientists say climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme heat, making wildfires more severe and more difficult to control across the region.