Wildfires rage across southern Europe

Wildfires are spreading across southern Europe and thousands of firefighters are attempting to bring them under control.

The fires are raging in Spain, France, Greece and the Italian island of Sardinia, at least seven people have died in the past few days. There are presently seven major fires in the south and east of Spain, however, several are now rated as stable. The weather has been hot and dry and strong winds are fuelling the flames. Officials have evacuated approximately 1,500 people from the Mojacar region of south-east Spain as flames threatened the area. "It's like a horror film round here," said Benjamin Jackson, a 23-year-old British expat. "As far as you can see basically everything has burned down." In France, the French army is facing increased anger after a military exercise sparked a sweeping wildfire on the outskirts of Marseille. "This fire was clearly triggered by a professional mistake," Prime Minister Francois Fillon said late Thursday. The fire raged through 1,300 hectares (3,211 acres) of brush and damaged homes near France's second city. "Tracer rounds are outlawed, not only during this period but in principle in all the camps in the south," a region more prone to forest fires. A probe is underway. The fire began when troops from the 1st Foreign Legion Regiment used tracer rounds, which contain an incendiary substance to make them visible in flight, during a practice session at their base. Two people died in Italy as fires burned on the island of Sardinia. Authorities evacuated homes and a beach due to approaching flames. Meanwhile, in Greece, several fires broke out in the southern Peloponnese and on the island of Evia; farms and forests were destroyed.