The French Riviera in flames

Thousands of people, including many tourists, were evacuated after a violent forest fire broke out Monday in the hinterland of Saint-Tropez on the French Mediterranean. If the fire has covered more than 5,000 ha, the burnt area cannot yet be assessed. The flames were fought by hundreds of firefighters, supported by numerous water bomber planes. The firefighters fear that the disaster will get worse during the day. In particular because of the high temperatures and the mistral, a dry wind typical of the region.