Greece finds 18 bodies as wildfires spread in new Europe heatwave

France, Italy and Portugal issue heat alerts as temperatures to hit 42C across much of southern Europe

Vegetation is engulfed in flames as wildfires run through Prodromos (AFP via Getty)

The bodies of 18 people have been found in an area of Greece hit by wildfires, as firefighters tackle blazes across southern Europe in the grip of another heatwave.

The dead are believed to have been migrants who had crossed the border from Turkey into the Avantas area of northeastern Greece, near the city of Alexandroupolis.

Hot, dry and windy conditions have led to wildfires across the country as well as Spain, Italy and Portugal.