Wild fire rages in southern France                  

More people have been evacuated from their homes as wildfires continued to rage out of control in southwestern France.

Authorities say more than 1,000 firefighters, supported by nine water-bomber aircraft, have been battling since Tuesday to quench two blazes fanned by scorching heat and strong winds.

The fires have now burnt 7,300 hectares, a total that increased by 2,000 hectares overnight.

Wildfires also raged across Portugal, Spain and Croatia, burning homes and threatening livelihoods, as Europe continue to battle a heatwave that has pushed temperatures into the mid-40 degree in some parts.