A British couple are the latest to be named as victims of a wildfire in southern Spain.
Seven Brits have died, as well as six others, following a wildfire in Bedar, in the Almeria province in southern Spain, Spanish police confirmed last week.
Christine and Michael Chard, originally from the UK, were named locally to have died in the fire.
In a Facebook post, Christine’s cousin, Sarah Gilliam, said they are “heartbroken” and recalled “happy memories” of visiting the couple in Bedar.
Other Brits who have died include Ian Jarvis, Pete and Fran Gillam, and Annette Kilgour.
A 93-year-old woman, who has not yet been named but is believed to be British, died in hospital following injuries she had sustained in the fire.
On social media, Elaine Gaffney, a friend of Ian Jarvis, described him as “our lovely, funny, kind friend”.
Annette Kilgour, and her partner, Malcolm Timbrell, moved out to Bedar after finding their dream home on the reality TV show, A Place in the Sun. On July 14, it was announced by locals that she had died in the wildfire.
A Place in the Sun presenter, Leah Charles-King, paid tribute to Annette, saying on X: “I had the privilege of helping Annette & Malcolm find a dream home on #aplaceinthesun.
“My deepest condolences go to Malcolm, Annette’s family & friends & everyone affected.”
The blaze, which scorched around 35 square miles of forest and farmland, has now been brought under control.
Locals are attempting to rebuild their lives and arrange funerals for the people they have lost in their community.
Spain has suffered from multiple wildfires this past fortnight.
Almost 350 firefighters tackled a wildfire in La Mierla, Guadalajara, which scorched more than 12,000 hectares on Sunday, authorities confirmed. The fire is not yet under control.
Firefighters managed to put out a blaze which broke out in the Zaragoza province on Wednesday, destroying 15,400 hectares of land.
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