British couple confirmed to have been killed by deadly wildfires in Spain

A British couple, Pete and Fran Gillam, who lived in the village of Bédar, have been confirmed among the 13 victims of the devastating wildfires that swept through southern Spain. The couple, residents of the village that bore the brunt of the blaze, are believed to have perished while attempting to evacuate their home.

Their daughter, Danielle Gillam-Kirton, shared the heartbreaking news on Facebook, confirming that police had informed her of her parents' deaths. "We are heartbroken to share that we have received confirmation from the police that Mum and Dad did not survive the fire," she wrote, expressing gratitude for the outpouring of love and support.

Relatives of those missing have been urged to provide DNA samples at the local civil office, as many victims are too severely burned for identification by conventional means. The confirmed victims include a Spanish man and his British wife, as well as individuals from the US, France, and Belgium. A 93-year-old British woman also died in the hospital from injuries sustained in the fire.

The wildfires, exacerbated by a record heatwave, moved with terrifying speed, trapping some residents. Burned-out cars litter the roads leading out of Bédar, with authorities confirming that passengers were consumed by flames as they tried to escape. The identification process is ongoing, and authorities caution that the number of missing people may still be uncertain. Reports suggest at least four more British victims may be identified, with bodies found in a burned-out vehicle.

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We are heartbroken to share that we have received confirmation from the police that Mum and Dad did not survive the fire. Thank you for all your love, support and prayers over the past few days. They have meant more to us than we can ever express.