French emergency services tackling huge wildfire

Thousands of firefighters are continuing to tackle wildfires in southern France.

Residents and tourists have been moved to safety and roads in the area have been closed.

French President Emmanuel Macron promised the country would do everything it can to help those affected and called on people to show "the utmost caution", while Prime Minister François Bayrou has visitied the region.

Officials say the fire could burn for several more days due to rising temperatures and strong winds.

It's thought to be the country's worst wildfires in almost 80 years.

What's the latest?

Nearly 2,000 firefighters are trying to bring it under control, with help from dozens of aircraft that are dropping huge amounts of water on the flames, trying to put them out or slow the fire down.

The fire started on Tuesday near the village of La Ribaute in the Aude region, and has already burned more than 15,000 hectares (58 sq miles) - an area larger than Paris.

Officials said the fire spread quickly, due to strong winds, dry vegetation and hot summer weather.

Residents and tourists have been moved to safety and temporary accommodation sites have been opened across the region.

Around 2,500 homes in the area are currently without electricity, and people living as far as 30km (18 miles) away from the fire have reported feeling its impact.

Scientists say the Mediterranean region's hotter, drier summers put it at high risk of wildfires.