Wildfires in south-western France are the worst in 75 years , according to experts, with the prime minister lamenting a “disaster on an unprecedented scale”.

Over 2,100 firefighters and France’s entire fleet of water bombers – 55 Canadairs and 35 Dash air tankers – along with 40 helicopters, have been battling the blazes since fire broke out in the village of Ribaute on Tuesday afternoon.

The rural, wooded area in the Aude region is home to many wineries.

One person has died, three are missing, and two people including a firefighter are in critical condition, according to local authorities. Some 36 homes have gone up in smoke, along with around 40 vehicles.

The fire, which has burned 16,000 hectares (39,500 acres), an area one and a half times the size of Paris, was whipped up by a c

See Full Page