British couple return to village at heart of deadly Spanish wildfire
A British couple returns to their home in Bédar, Spain, following a devastating wildfire that killed at least 13 people. While their property survived, the surrounding landscape remains charred, highlighting the severity of the disaster.
Why it matters
The event underscores the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires in Europe, raising questions about emergency preparedness and climate-related disaster management.
Image caption, Emma and Simon Michell were relieved to find their home had not been damaged by the fire
As we climbed the winding road to Bédar, we emerged into a charred and desolate landscape.
Molten car parts littered our path and out of the window we saw the whole hillside now coated in a dusty black.
At least 13 people, including five believed to be Britons, were killed by Thursday's wildfire in Spain's Almeria province, one of the country's deadliest ever.
The toll rose on Sunday after a 93-year-old woman, believed to be British, died of her injuries in hospital. The identities of those killed have not yet been officially confirmed.
The fire, which has now been contained, burned through about 7,000 hectares (17,300 acres) of land, authorities said.
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