Europe battles wildfires

Thousands evacuated in Spain and dozens injured in France

- RACHEL CLUN

Thousands have been forced to evacuate and dozens have been injured in wildfires across Europe that have been fanned by extreme heatwaves across the continent.

Spanish authorities ordered more than 18,000 residents in the northeastern Tarragona province to remain indoors on Tuesday, with several dozen evacuated, as a raging wildfire consumed nearly 7,413 acres of vegetation.

The blaze broke out early on Monday in a remote area near the village of Pauls, and firefighting efforts have been severely hampered by strong winds and rugged terrain.

Two people died in a separate wildfire on 1 July in the Catalonia region, where Tarragona is located.