Wildfires across Europe leave deaths and destruction

Two people were killed in fires that broke out on a Greek island and a soldier died fighting a fire in Spain as Belgium tackled a record blaze on its border with Germany on Sunday.

Europe is facing wildfires spurred by high temperatures and tinder-dry conditions due to a historically hot summer that has already claimed the live of thousands of people.

Two bodies were found Sunday during firefighting operations on Salamina, according to Greek broadcaster ERT.

The victims, which initial information indicated are a married couple, were discovered near where a fire started in the forested Peristeria area.

The fire spread rapidly amid strong winds, burning through pine trees and damaging homes.

Another fire was reported in Kaki Vigla, where an elderly man was rescued and nine people suffering burns were taken to the Salamina Health Center.

At least 90 people were evacuated by sea.

A total of 146 firefighters, supported by volunteers, four water-dropping aircraft and six helicopters were deployed.

The latest deaths brought Greece's wildfire death toll in this summer to eight.

In Spain, a soldier died Sunday while helping fight a major wildfire in Aragon, as the local authorities deployed the largest firefighting arsenal in the region's history.

The flames spread across 16,600 hectares and forced more than 1,000 people to evacuate.

Around 1,000 firefighters, supported by up to 40 aircraft, were involved in the operation.

France was also sending 100 firefighters to help contain the flames.

In Andalusia, more than 400 evacuees were allowed to return home after a wildfire raging for 10 days and affecting more than 25,000 hectares was declared under control on Sunday.