Thousands evacuated as firefighters battle massive wildfires on French Riviera

More than 1,000 firefighters backed by planes dropping water and fire retardant have been battling wildfires that billowed smoke into the sky over the Cote d'Azur in southern France and forced the evacuation of at least 12,000 people.

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe visited the area on what he said was a grim day.