British couple revisits village after deadly Almeria wildfire

At least 13 people were killed in a wildfire that swept through Spain’s Almería province on Thursday, among them five individuals believed to be British nationals. The blaze broke out in the early afternoon and rapidly spread across the dry, forested terrain, prompting a large‑scale emergency response.

Spanish civil protection officials deployed dozens of firefighters, aerial water bombers and police units to contain the flames and evacuate nearby villages. The victims, whose identities are being confirmed, were found in the vicinity of the town of Níjar, where the fire ignited near a residential area. Authorities reported that extreme heat, strong winds and prolonged drought conditions contributed to the fire’s rapid expansion, and they are investigating the exact cause. Medical teams treated dozens of injured residents, and temporary shelters were established for displaced families.

The regional government has declared a state of emergency in the affected municipalities and pledged assistance to the victims’ families, including consular support for the British nationals. An investigation into the incident remains ongoing, and officials warned that the region’s fire‑prone landscape could pose further risks as summer temperatures continue to rise.