Near Marseille, a severe wildfire has caused 110 minor injuries and the evacuation of 400 people. The fire is still not under control, reports broadcaster BFMTV. Other Southern European countries are also affected by wildfires.
The fire near Marseille has decreased somewhat in intensity but is still not under control. Around 7:00 AM, residents in the area near the fire received an alert to stay indoors. Near the town of Pennes-Mirabeau, north of Marseille, the fire appears to have reignited, reports France Blue.
Among the 110 injured are 31 firefighters and police officers. According to Minister Bruno Retailleau of the Interior, 63 residential buildings were damaged, ten of which were completely burned down. Approximately 400 residents were evacuated, including 71 residents of a retirement home.
Train traffic in the region remains disrupted on Wednesday morning, and several roads are closed.
About a thousand firefighters are trying to prevent a larger disaster. Nine firefighting planes and seven helicopters have dropped approximately 400 tons of water from the air to combat the flames, local authorities report on X.
The fire started when a car caught fire on a highway near Pennes-Mirabeau. Fueled by the wind, the flames spread to the surrounding countryside and moved towards Marseille. Over 700 hectares around the city have been destroyed. Marseille Airport was closed until 9:30 PM on Tuesday.
Fires in Southern Europe
In Narbonne, there is also a wildfire that started on Monday in a wooded area south of the city. Although weather conditions are improving, the fire continues to spread, authorities tell BFMTV. A total of 2,000 hectares have been destroyed there.
In a wildfire in the Hérault department, just above Narbonne, 400 hectares of land have been burned. That fire is now under control, according to the fire department.
The fire near Tarragona, Spain, which broke out on Monday, is still burning. Authorities are urging 18,000 residents in the area to stay indoors until this afternoon. Approximately 32,000 hectares in Catalonia have now been destroyed.