Europe battles fast-moving wildfires sweeping across Spain and France, in photos

Wildfires raced across forests in France and Spain, sending residents fleeing and filling the sky with smoke as firefighters from across Europe joined efforts to contain the blazes.

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

People watch massive plumes of smoke caused by wildfires in Le Porge, western France, Thursday, July 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Caroline Blumberg)

Smoke and flames rise as a wildfire advances near La Adrada, Ávila province, Spain, Friday, July 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

A water bomber drops water while fighting wildfires In Ares, western France, Friday July 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Caroline Blumberg)

Residents spend the night at a sports center after being evacuated from their homes because of the threat of a wildfire in Cebreros, Ávila province, Spain, Friday, July 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

A seaplane drops water onto the fire as a wildfire advances near La Adrada, Ávila province, Spain, Friday, July 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Smoke and flames rise as a wildfire advances near Burgohondo, Ávila province, Spain, Friday, July 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Smoke and flames rise as a wildfire advances near San Martin de Valdeiglesias, Ávila province, Spain, Friday, July 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

A water bomber drops water while fighting wildfires in the Lège-Cap-Ferret region, western France, Thursday, July 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Caroline Blumberg)

Wildfires advance near Le Proge region, western France, Thursday, July 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Caroline Blumberg)

Smoke and flames rise as a wildfire advances near La Adrada, Ávila province, Spain, Friday, July 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

A firefighter rests from battling wildfires, in the Lège-Cap-Ferret region, western France, Thursday, July 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Caroline Blumberg)

A woman watches smoke rising on the horizon from a beach in Arcachon as wildfires rage in western France, Friday, July 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Caroline Blumberg)

Firefighting helicopters drop water on the flames as a wildfire advances near Burgohondo, Ávila province, Spain, Friday, July 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

LONDON (AP) — A police boat crashed into Westminster Bridge in central London on Friday, tossing officers into the River Thames and injuring five of the crew, the Metropolitan Police said.

Paramedics treated the injured on a black inflatable boat as a police helicopter hovered overhead near the clock tower that houses the bell known as Big Ben.

It wasn’t immediately clear what the boat was doing at the time or how it crashed, though the Met said it would be thoroughly reviewed.

Mateo Bilis-Lusevic, a 12-year-old visiting from Chile, said he was on a tour boat with his mother when they saw the crash.

“Two boats were riding extremely fast through the water," he said. “Suddenly, I heard a boom. I was looking towards the boat, and I heard a boom. Then three people went flying into the water, and one of the people was really hurt.”

He estimated the officers were in the water for about 10 minutes and one was thrown a life ring.

There was no immediate information on the extent of injuries. Police did not believe any civilians were involved or hurt.

A large crowd gathered to watch as ambulances and fire crews responded but were eventually cleared from the bridge, which was closed to traffic.

A Port of London Authority spokesperson said it was helping manage river traffic and was working with the Metropolitan Police and the Coastguard.

Emergency services attend an incident at Westminster Bridge in London, Friday July 24, 2026, after a police boat crashed into Westminster Bridge. (David Lynch/PA via AP)