Twelve of the 13 people killed in the devastating wildfire that swept through Spain’s southeastern province of Almeria (Andalusia) were foreign nationals, authorities confirmed on Tuesday after completing post-mortem examinations, as the the British ambassador visited the area to meet members of the local community affected by the disaster.
Officials said the victims included seven people from the United Kingdom, three from Belgium, and one each from France and the United States. The remaining victim was Spanish.
‘The 13 people who died are eight women and five men, all adults,’ the public body responsible for identifying the victims said in a statement. ALSO READ: Sánchez praises firefighters and calls for climate action as identification of wildfire victims begins.
The fire broke out last Thursday in Almeria, a picturesque Mediterranean province that is home to a large international community, including many British residents. Driven by strong winds and fuelled by vegetation left tinder-dry by prolonged extreme heat, the blaze tore through forests and scrubland, reducing rural communities to blackened landscapes.
Emergency crews initially recovered 12 bodies so badly burned that DNA testing was required to confirm their identities. ALSO READ: Almeria wildfire stabilised as investigators work to identify victims and missing.
The wildfire, one of Spain’s deadliest in recent years, destroyed around 7,000 hectares of land. Authorities said it was caused when an electrical cable fell onto a road.
The blaze has since been brought under control, allowing evacuated residents to begin returning to their homes from Sunday.
British Ambassador to Spain Alex Ellis travelled to Almeria on Monday to meet British nationals affected by the fires, hear first-hand accounts of the devastation and offer condolences to those who lost relatives, friends and neighbours. ALSO READ: Death toll from Almeria wildfire reaches 13 after elderly British woman succumbs to her injuries.
During the visit, he reiterated that the British Embassy’s consular team was continuing to support British nationals and their families while remaining in close contact with the Spanish authorities coordinating the emergency response.
The ambassador also praised the work of emergency services, local authorities and volunteers helping communities recover from the disaster.
‘I have seen today the terrible consequences of the wildfires which have swept through Almeria and met local residents whose lives have been so tragically impacted,’ he said.
‘The British Embassy is supporting British nationals and their families, and I would like to thank the emergency services, local authorities and our consular team for everything they are doing during this incredibly difficult time.’
As part of the visit, Ellis also met representatives of the Andalusian regional government, Spain’s central government in Almeria, the Guardia Civil, local mayors and members of the British community in Bédar who have been affected by the fires and are continuing to support fellow residents.
Spain has experienced increasingly frequent and prolonged heatwaves in recent years, with temperatures regularly exceeding 40 C, creating conditions that greatly increase the risk of large and fast-moving wildfires.
According to the European Forest Fire Information System, more than 393,000 hectares were destroyed by fire across Spain in 2025, the highest annual total in the country’s recent history. ALSO READ: At least 12 dead as devastating wildfire tears through southern Spain during heatwave.
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El embajador @AlexWEllis visitó ayer Almería para reunirse con ciudadanos británicos locales y conocer de primera mano el impacto que el devastador incendio forestal ha tenido en la comunidad.
— UK in Spain (@ukinspain) July 15, 2026
Durante la visita, expresó sus condolencias a todos los afectados por la tragedia. pic.twitter.com/ymqkOHaiaV
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