In a statement, authorities said seven of the victims were from the United Kingdom, three from Belgium, one from France and one from the United States. The last victim was a Spanish citizen.

“The 13 deceased people are eight women and five men, all adults,” added the public body in charge of identifying the victims.

Among the British citizens who died were couple Pete and Fran Gillam, who lived in Bédar, the town that bore the brunt of the bushfires. Their deaths were confirmed by their relatives.

In a post on Facebook, her daughter Danielle Gillam-Kirton, from Sheffield, said the family was “heartbroken to share that we have received confirmation from the police that mum and dad did not survive the fire”.

The fire, which has now been contained, burned about 7,000 hectares (17,300 acres) of land, authorities said.

Spain has suffered frequent and severe heat waves in recent years, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C.