Two British hikers who were almost left for dead after devastating wildfires in southern Spain have been found alive, suffering from 40% burns, according to Spanish national broadcaster RTVE. The pair, who have not been identified, were discovered by a team of Civil Guards who had already checked the area but decided to go back for one last sweep.
At least 12 people are believed to have died in the fire near the village of Bédar, in Almeria province. Among them, at least four are thought to be British, after four bodies were found in a burnt-out car with its steering wheel on the right. Spanish authorities believe all the victims were foreign tourists who attempted to escape on foot after abandoning their vehicles and trying to flee through rugged terrain.
Rescuers' persistence saves lives
In an interview with RTVE, the Civil Guard officers said they found the two British people alive just as night was falling. Sergeant Pedro Barre told the broadcaster: "That experience we accumulate over the years is what tells you: take another look, give it one last try, check again just in case." He said they called out and used whistles before eventually hearing a sound which they thought at first could have been an echo.
Another rescuer, Rafael Zea, said that given the couple's injuries it must have taken a "Titanic effort" for them to raise their voices to be heard. With the help of firefighters and emergency services, they were rescued after more than two hours. The pair are now said to be in a serious condition in hospital, although their lives are not believed to be in danger.
Authorities identify victims and evacuate areas
Antonio Sanz, head of Andalusia’s emergency services, previously said that authorities had completed post-mortem examinations and DNA samples were collected to identify the victims. Authorities proactively evacuated 1,448 people from some 11 areas.
Spain has suffered frequent and severe heatwaves in recent years, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C. In June, Spain experienced several days of record-setting heat, with more than 1,000 excess deaths attributed to heat.
