Wildfires tore through parts of France and Spain

Wildfires continue to rage across France and Spain, forcing hundreds of thousands of people from their homes as firefighters battle soaring temperature and strong winds.

Authorities in both countries have stepped up emergency efforts as Europe faces an intense summer heatwave. A raging wildfire in southwest France forced the evacuation of 55,000 people overnight Sunday, bringing the total forced out of their homes to a staggering 220,000 in one region alone, as flames crept ever closer to the wine region city of Bordeaux.

In the Gironde region of southwest France, at least 42,000 hectares of land have been destroyed so far, more than four times the size of Paris. Heavy machinery was being used to cut back vegetation and trees, and firefighters raced in trucks to fight flare-ups while planes dropping water and retardants rotated in the air, battling to make progress before a forecast surge in temperatures from Tuesday that could make fighting flames more difficult.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday chaired a meeting of ministers of the French government to discuss the wildfires across the country.

In Spain, wildfires have burned out of control around Madrid. Fire evacuations were also carried out Sunday in the Valencia region. A total of 76,000 people have been evacuated in Spain while 30,000 others have been confined to their homes. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia visited an evacuation centre to greet displaced people around Madrid on Sunday, saying that they will show their support and solidarity to those affected.