2 killed in large wildfire in France

The wildfire in France's southern tourist region of Var, still burning on its third day and hard to control, has caused two deaths and forced around 10,000 people to evacuate, the Prefecture of Var said on Wednesday, reported Xinhua.

"Unfortunately the toll has grown. We have today 24 injured (...) including 5 firefighters. They are lightly injured. And we deplore two victims," said Evence Richard, the prefect of Var, at a press conference.

Interventions were difficult due to the wind which changed regularly, he added.

Nearly 1,200 firefighters are still on the ground battling the fire which has burned 7,000 hectares. Around 10,000 people have evacuated. A total of 14 reception centers were set up in seven municipalities in the region. On Wednesday afternoon, an eighth campsite was evacuated.

The Mediterranean region has been suffering from raging wildfires along with sizzling temperatures this summer. Large fires have already ravaged parts of Greece, Turkey, Italy, Spain and Algeria.