A British couple vacationing in Almeria was discovered in a critical state with severe burns in 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 destroyed over 6,000 hectares of land, making it one of Spain’s deadliest wildfires in recent memory.
Numerous firefighters have been battling the raging blaze, believed to have been ignited by a fallen power line on Thursday, and exacerbated by strong winds and dry, hot weather conditions.
As the search continues for dozens of missing persons, authorities are focusing their efforts on locating survivors in Bedar, the area hardest hit by the fire.
A British couple, presumed to have been hiking when the wildfire encircled them, were miraculously found alive by Civil Guard officers amidst the scorched landscape.
Despite their dire condition and hidden location, the tourists managed to call for help, displaying remarkable resilience, as reported by Reuters.
Sergeant Pedro Barre, part of the search team, recounted how they initially mistook a distant sound for an echo but persevered and eventually located the couple in critical condition.
The couple, with burns covering 40% of their bodies, were swiftly transported to a hospital in a two-hour rescue operation.
Barre expressed the unforgettable moment of seeing the couple’s surprise and relief upon being rescued.
Among the eight individuals currently receiving burn treatment in the hospital following the wildfire, the British couple stands out as survivors.
Meanwhile, authorities in Madrid are conducting forensic tests on samples from the deceased, utilizing DNA from families of missing individuals to identify the victims, many of whom are believed to be British and Belgian nationals, along with one Spaniard.
