French Prime Minister François Bayrou says a huge, deadly wildfire sweeping through the south of France is a “catastrophe on an unprecedented scale”.

He has been visiting the Aude region, where wildfires have scorched an area larger than Paris. Bayrou said the wildfire is linked to global warming and drought.

An elderly woman has been killed and at least one other person is missing as 2,150 firefighters continue to tackle the blaze, which has burnt more than 15,000 hectares (58 sq miles). At least 13 people have been injured, according to media reports.

The blaze broke out on Tuesday near the village of La Ribaute. Officials say it is France’s biggest wildfire since 1949.

Firefighters supported by dozens of water-bombing aircraft are still battling the blaze, which the authorities have warned could rage for several more days.

“The fire is still very active and the situation remains unfavourable,” Lucie Roesch, secretary general of the Aude prefecture told the AFP news agency, citing drought conditions, rising temperatures and strong winds.

The main affected villages are Lagrasse, Fabrezan, Tournissan, Coustouge and Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse.