Spain wildfires: Three killed in Catalonia

Two French nationals drowned in the sea close to the border with France while trying to escape the flames, Catalonia's interior minister said.

Strong winds gusting up to 90km/h (55mph) have rendered the blazes "out of control", he said.

All residents of the county of Alt Emporda - more than 100,000 people - have been ordered to stay indoors.

The area is a main link for holidaymakers travelling to and from southern France.

The two French citizens, who were travelling by car along the main coastal road near the town of Portbou, died after they were trapped by the wildfires and tried to reach the sea by climbing down a cliff, according to Catalan Interior Minister Felip Puig.

The victims were a 60-year-old man and his 15-year-old daughter, Spanish media reported.

A 75-year-old man died after suffering a cardiac arrest in Llers, near the border town of La Jonquera.

Another 18 people have been wounded, including a French national who suffered burns on 80% of his body when he was caught in his car by the flames.

About 9,000 hectares of forest have been devastated, according to the regional authorities.

The wildfires, travelling at about 5-6km/h, came within 10km of the area's main town, Figueres, on Sunday, Mr Puig said.

Source & Image : BBC