Thousands of tourists were trapped on Tuesday on beaches in southern Italy's Puglia region by a fast-moving brush fire that killed two people, local authorities said.

Emergency services used patrol boats and helicopters to whisk some 4,000 holidaymakers and residents to safety. Authorities said earlier in the day four people had died, but later said they could only confirm two deaths.

Many had rushed to the beach in bathing suits, leaving all their belongings behind as they tried to escape the flames.

The fire spread quickly, threatening hotels and holiday villages. The nationalities of those involved were not immediately clear.

Elena Gentile, in charge of social affairs in the regional council, said two people, a brother and sister in their 80s, were found burnt to death in a car.

She had said that two people were asphyxiated on a beach, but later said she was unable to confirm that.