Wildfires in Europe and North Africa

Countries around the Mediterranean region have been grappling with searing heat and devastating wildfires, exacerbated by temperatures exceeding 40C, and strong winds.

In Portugal, firefighters and volunteers have tackled fires sweeping across a natural park near the holiday destination of Cascais.

Fires have burnt in Sicily – and Palermo Airport was temporarily closed.

In Algeria, 34 people have died in fires, with the coastal province of Bejaia, east of Algiers, worst affected.

People in the village of de Oeud Das have been surveying the damage to their homes (below).

Fires on Rhodes have blazed for nearly a week, with the Greek islands of Corfu and Evia also reporting fires that remain out of control.

Firefighters and volunteers have been mobilised to control the fires on Rhodes, while aircraft have been used to tackle the flames.

Since the weekend, thousands of people have been evacuated from Rhodes.

Holidaymakers were forced to leave their hotels, some without luggage.

Evacuees have been put into temporary accommodation at sports halls and conference centres.

At airports, there were scenes of chaos and long queues, as tourists waited to be flown out.

The fires have left large areas of Rhodes burnt and blackened and properties destroyed.

As the hot weather conditions continue, there is the ever-present danger that new fires will break out.