The French Riviera has been struck by wildfires forcing thousands to evacuate from tourist hotspots.
Hundreds of firefighters battled through the night to contain the fire in the hills behind the coastal town of Saint-Tropez.
The blaze initially broke out near Toulon in the southern France on Monday night. Fuelled by strong Mediterranean winds, the flames still had not been contained as of Wednesday morning according to a government official.
Almost 6,000 people have been evacuated from homes and campsites in the Var region, with tourists moved to a holiday centre.
French President Emmanuel Macron left his nearby summer retreat on Tuesday to thank the firefighters for their efforts.
BBC News presenter Geeta Guru-Murthy was forced to drive through flames to flee her holiday villa.
Waves of extreme heat have hit much of the Mediterranean region in recent weeks, with wildfires from Turkey to Spain and Greece.
Recent outbreaks have killed at least 75 people in Algeria and 16 in Turkey.
Worsening drought and heat have also fueled wildfires in the western United States and in Russia’s northern Siberia region.
It raises uncomfortable questions over global warming and countries’ preparedness.
