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Tourist, 93, dies in hospital after Spanish wildfires as death toll reaches 13

A 93-year-old woman has died in hospital after suffering burns to around 20% of her body in the devastating Spanish wildfires, authorities have confirmed

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(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

A 93 year old tourist has died after sustaining injuries in the devastating wildfires that tore through southern Spain, authorities have confirmed.

The Andalusian government revealed that the woman was rushed to hospital on Friday after suffering burns to approximately 20% of her body. Her passing was confirmed on Sunday afternoon, bringing the overall death toll from the fires to 13.

At least four of the victims are believed to be British, after four bodies were discovered in a burnt-out car with its steering wheel on the right-hand side. This follows reports on Sunday that two British hikers were found alive but severely burnt.

The man and woman, who have yet to be identified, are thought to have suffered burns to 40% of their bodies, according to Spanish national broadcaster RTVE. The pair were located by a Civil Guard team, who revealed they had already searched the area but had a gut feeling they needed to return.

In an interview with RTVE, the Civil Guard officers recounted finding the two British nationals alive just as darkness was closing in.

Sergeant Pedro Barre told the broadcaster: "That experience we accumulate over the years is what tells you: take another look, give it one last try, check again just in case."

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(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

He explained that the team had called out and used whistles, before eventually detecting a sound they initially thought might have been an echo.

Fellow rescuer Rafael Zea added that given the severity of the couple's injuries, it must have taken a "Titanic effort" for them to raise their voices loud enough to be heard. With the assistance of firefighters and emergency services, the pair were rescued after more than two hours trapped.

The two individuals are now reported to be in a serious condition in hospital, though their lives are not thought to be at risk. Spanish authorities believe all of the victims were foreign tourists, who are understood to have attempted to flee on foot after apparently abandoning their vehicles and trying to make their way through treacherous terrain.

Antonio Sanz, head of Andalusia's emergency services, previously confirmed that post-mortem examinations had been carried out and DNA samples collected in order to identify the deceased.

Spain has been plagued by frequent and devastating heatwaves in recent years, with temperatures regularly soaring beyond 40C.

In June, Spain endured several days of record-breaking heat, with more than 1,000 excess deaths attributed to the scorching conditions.

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