Spanish authorities have confirmed that seven British nationals are among the 13 victims of the deadly wildfires that swept through the southern province of Almería last week.

According to local media and AFP, post-mortem examinations revealed that 12 of the 13 victims were foreign nationals: seven from the United Kingdom, three from Belgium, one from France, one from the United States, and one Spanish citizen.

The wildfires, which began on Thursday, burned through approximately 7,000 hectares (17,300 acres) of land and forced the evacuation of nearly 1,500 people. Firefighters worked for days to contain the blazes.

Among the British victims were Pete and Fran Gillam, a couple living in the village of Bédar, which bore the brunt of the fire. Their daughter Danielle Gillam-Kirton from Sheffield confirmed their deaths on Facebook, saying the family was 'heartbroken'.

Malcolm Timbrell, a 70-year-old British survivor, told the BBC how he became separated from his wife and friends while trying to flee. He took refuge in abandoned cars: four of six instantly combusted, but he survived in the last one with a cat. His wife and friends are believed to be among the dead.

Spain has experienced frequent and severe heatwaves in recent years, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C. The fire has now been contained, but the region faces a long recovery.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk