13 Jul, 2026 @ 15:01
1 min read

First six victims of Almeria fire identified – including American woman and two Brits

A view of a burnt area affected by wildfires in Bedar, near Almeria, Spain, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregorio Marrero)

AN American woman and two British nationals are among the 13 people killed in the deadly Almeria wildfire, authorities have confirmed.

The local court investigating the blaze said six bodies have so far been identified, according to Spanish broadcaster Cadena SER.

They include a British man and woman, an American woman and her Spanish husband, a French national, and a Belgian national.

The Olive Press had reported earlier on Monday that Ana Sims, from Nebraska, and her husband Pedro Rodriguez, from Huelva, were among those feared dead in what has become Andalucia’s deadliest wildfire on record.

READ MORE: American expat feared dead alongside Spanish husband in Almeria wildfire after burnt-out car discovered near untouched home

It has not yet been officially confirmed whether Sims and Rodriguez are the same couple referred to in Spanish media reports.

Local officials had previously said all of the victims were believed to be foreign nationals, except for one person identified on Friday as Spanish.

Four of the victims were found inside a burnt-out right-hand-drive car, leading authorities to suspect they were British.

It remains unclear whether any of the car’s occupants are among the six victims identified so far.

A 93-year-old woman who died from her injuries in hospital on Sunday has also been identified as a British national, Spanish media reported.

The victims’ DNA has been sent to Madrid to assist with the identification process, with authorities expecting three more people to be identified on Monday evening.

READ MORE: Death toll from horrific Almeria wildfire rises to 13 after British woman succumbs to injuries in hospital

The wildfire broke out last Thursday after a downed power line apparently ignited a patch of dry vegetation, sparking the blaze near the town of Los Gallardos.

Fanned by winds of up to 50km/h, the flames spread rapidly across Almeria province before firefighters and soldiers finally brought the fire under control on Sunday.

Click here to read more Almeria News from The Olive Press.

Granada-based reporter for the Olive Press and journalism student at NCTJ-accredited News Associates. My work has appeared in the Sunday Times, and I’ve collaborated with BBC TV and Radio. I’m particularly interested in science, environmental reporting, crime, and culture. Contact me with any leads at alessio@theolivepress.es

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