Spain is battling a series of devastating wildfires that have killed two people and destroyed thousands of hectares of forest and scrubland. There are currently 14 major active fires, Minister for Ecological Transition Sara Aagesen told radio station Cadena Ser on Wednesday.

Three men died and thousands were forced from their homes on Tuesday as wildfires fuelled by a heatwave scorched southern Europe.

Wildfires caused by arsonists or thunderstorms and fanned by a heatwave and strong winds continued to rage across southern Europe on Wednesday, burning houses, farms and factories and forcing the evacuation of thousands of residents and tourists.