Seven Britons were among those killed in the deadly wildfires in southern Spain, authorities have confirmed.

Twelve of the 13 victims were foreign nationals, Spanish authorities said on Tuesday after completing post-mortem examinations.

The wildfires, which tore through Spain’s Almería province on Thursday, have become one of the country’s deadliest.

A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office previously said it was “supporting British nationals affected and their families and remain in close contact with the Spanish authorities”.

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

“The 13 people who died are eight women and five men, all adults,” the public body responsible for identifying the victims added.

Among the British nationals who died were couple Pete and Fran Gillam, who lived in Bédar, the village that bore the brunt of the wildfires. Their deaths were confirmed by their family.

Posting on Facebook, their daughter Danielle Gillam-Kirton, from Sheffield, said the family were “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 through about 7,000 hectares (17,300 acres) of land, authorities said.

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