3 December 2010 Last updated at 22:51

In pictures: Deadly fire in Israel

Israel is struggling to contain a massive forest fire near the northern city of Haifa, believed to be the worst in the nation's history.

Other countries have begun to send aircraft and equipment after Israel made a rare request for international assistance.

At least 41 people have died in the blaze and thousands have been evacuated.

Many of those killed were prison guards on a bus which was trapped by the flames in the Carmel Mountains.

The guards had been sent to help with the evacuation of nearby Damon Prison because of the blaze.

The blaze has been described by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as "a disaster of unprecedented proportions".

Hundreds of firefighters are battling the flames on the ground amid heavy winds.

The fires can be seen clearly from Haifa itself, as this picture sent by a reader shows.

Israel has been experiencing a period of drought, with its driest November in 60 years.

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