A 93-year-old British woman has died from injuries sustained in the devastating Spanish wildfire, becoming the 13th victim of the blaze that has swept through southern Spain.
The Andalusian government confirmed the pensioner was rushed to hospital with burns covering around 20 percent of her body but succumbed to her injuries.
Death toll rises as search continues
Her death marks the 13th since the inferno ravaged the village in Almeria, southern Spain. Many of the deceased are believed to be British and Belgian nationals. Four additional bodies were discovered in a burnt-out car, which authorities suspect are British due to the vehicle's right-hand steering wheel.
Spanish authorities believe all victims were foreign tourists who attempted to flee on foot after abandoning their vehicles in rugged terrain.
Rescue of two British hikers
Amid the tragedy, rescuers celebrated finding two survivors—British hikers badly burned by a ravine on Sunday. The pair, a man and a woman, suffered 40 percent burns to their bodies, according to Spanish national broadcaster RTVE.
Civil Guard officers discovered them just as night fell. Sergeant Pedro Barre told RTVE: "That experience we accumulate over the years is what tells you: take another look, give it one last try, check again just in case."
The team called out and used whistles before hearing a faint sound. Rescuer Rafael Zea noted that given the couple's injuries, it must have taken a "Titanic effort" for them to raise their voices. With firefighters and emergency services, they were rescued after more than two hours.
The hikers are in serious condition in hospital, but their lives are not believed to be in danger.
Identification and investigation
Antonio Sanz, head of Andalusia's emergency services, stated that post-mortem examinations have been completed and DNA samples collected to identify the victims.
Spain's heatwave crisis
Spain has endured frequent and severe heatwaves in recent years, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C. In June, the country experienced several days of record-setting heat, with more than 1,000 excess deaths attributed to the extreme temperatures.
