The death toll from a wildfire burning in north-eastern Spain has risen to 4.

The latest death is that of a 64-year-old French national who suffered 80% burns yesterday.

The other 3 casualties are also French citizens.

A 60-year-old Frenchman and his 15-year-old daughter drowned Sunday after they threw themselves into the sea to escape the approaching flames near the town of Portbou just across the border with France.

A 75-year-old Frenchman man died of a heart attack as he watched his house consumed by flames in the town of Llers.

The fire broke out yesterday and spread very quickly near the border with France whipped up by winds of up to 90 kilometres an hour.