Paris, Aug. 7 -- Firefighters in France are battling the country's biggest wildfire in nearly eight decades for a third consecutive day, as more than 16,000 hectares have already been burned in the southern region of Aude, France 24 reported.

One person has died, three are reported missing, and two others--including a firefighter--are in critical condition.

According to France 24, the wildfire, which began on Tuesday around 100 km from the Spanish border near the Mediterranean Sea, has spread rapidly and remains uncontrolled.

"As of now, the fire has not been brought under control," Christophe Magny, one of the officials leading the firefighting operation, told BFM TV. He added, "I hope the blaze could be contained later in the day." ...