By SCN NEWS DESK
ALMERÍA, Spain, July 12 — A British couple who became trapped during Spain's devastating wildfires have been rescued from a remote ravine after emergency officers heard faint cries for help in the darkness, authorities said. The pair were found semi-conscious with severe burns covering around 40% of their bodies.
The couple are believed to have been hiking near the municipality of Bédar in Almería province when the fast-moving wildfire swept through the area on Thursday. Civil Guard officers searching for survivors initially thought the distant sound they heard was an echo before deciding to investigate further.
After climbing down a steep hillside, rescuers discovered the couple critically injured in a ravine. A complex two-hour operation involving firefighters and emergency responders was launched to carry them to safety before they were airlifted to hospital, where they remain in intensive care.
Rescuers said the fact that the couple managed to call for help despite their injuries was extraordinary. One officer described their survival as remarkable, saying the effort required to shout while suffering extensive burns was "titanic."
The wildfire has become one of the deadliest in Spain's recent history, killing at least 12 people, burning more than 6,000 hectares (15,000 acres), and forcing around 1,400 residents to evacuate. More than 500 firefighters and emergency personnel continue battling the blaze, although calmer winds have allowed crews to shift from defensive operations to directly attacking the fire.
Authorities are also working to identify victims through DNA testing, with several of those killed believed to be British and Belgian nationals. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is expected to visit the affected area as recovery efforts continue.