Over 20,000 evacuated as wildfire rages in southwest France

 

More than 20,000 residents and tourists have been evacuated as a fast-moving wildfire swept through southwest France, burning around 3,400 hectares of forest near Bordeaux.

Around 800 firefighters, supported by aircraft and soldiers, are battling the blaze, which authorities believe may have been sparked by a brush-clearing machine in the dense pine forest near the village of Saumos. Three houses and a caravan have been destroyed, but no injuries have been reported.

The European Union has deployed three water-bombing aircraft after France requested assistance.

The wildfire comes amid repeated heatwaves across France that have created severe fire conditions. Officials said high temperatures and strong winds are hampering firefighting efforts.