Thousands flee wildfires in France as temperatures soar across Europe

Temperatures are so high in the Spanish city of Seville that unions have called for workers to be sent home

Bathers in Torremolinos watch plumes of smoke caused by a wildfire (Reuters)

As many as 10,000 people have been forced to evacuate because of wildfires in the Bordeaux region of southwest France that have ravaged pine forests near the Atlantic coast.

Up to 1,000 firefighters, using 10 water-dumping planes, were struggling on Friday to contain the fires, which have been blazing for several days.

Large fires were also raging in Portugal and Spain on Friday. Croatia and Hungary also recorded blazes this week as Europe struggled to combat scorching temperatures and strong winds, which have complicated firefighting efforts.