A couple from the UK who were on vacation in Almeria were discovered severely burned and in critical condition at the bottom of a ravine by rescuers searching the charred terrain for survivors.
The recent wildfire that engulfed the Spanish province has tragically resulted in the deaths of 12 individuals and has ravaged over 6,000 hectares of land, marking it as one of Spain’s deadliest wildfires in modern times.
Numerous firefighters have been working tirelessly to combat the raging inferno, believed to have been triggered by a fallen power line on Thursday, rapidly spreading through the village due to strong winds and dry, scorching weather conditions.
As the search continues for dozens of missing individuals, authorities are making valiant efforts to locate survivors in Bedar, the hardest-hit area.
The British couple, who were presumably hiking when they became trapped by the wildfire, were miraculously found alive by the Civil Guard as they combed the scorched landscape nearby.
Despite their dire condition and hidden location, the tourists managed to call for help, described as a heroic effort by authorities. Sergeant Pedro Barre, one of the officers involved in the search operation, mentioned that they initially mistook a sound for an echo before eventually discovering the couple.
The couple, found in critical condition with burns covering 40% of their bodies, were swiftly transported to a hospital after a two-hour rescue operation.
Barre recalled the emotional and surprised expressions on the couple’s faces, emphasizing the impact of their rescue. The couple is among eight individuals currently receiving treatment for burns in the hospital following the wildfire.
In the meantime, forensic tests are being conducted on samples from the deceased in Madrid, using DNA from families of the missing to help identify the victims, many of whom are believed to be British and Belgian, with one being a Spanish national.