The European Union has deployed emergency firefighting aircraft to France and Spain in response to intensifying wildfires that have forced the evacuation of thousands of residents and tourists.
The bloc dispatched four planes to Spain and three to France on Friday, marking a significant escalation in the cross-border emergency response as flames continue to spread across multiple regions.
The deployment comes as emergency services struggle to contain blazes in holiday destinations, particularly around Bordeaux in southern France.
Tens of thousands of people have been ordered to leave their homes and hotels, disrupting travel and tourism in the affected areas.
The fires have overwhelmed local resources, necessitating the intervention of EU-level support mechanisms to bolster containment efforts.
This development follows earlier reports of widespread destruction and displacement in the region.