Paris, July 8: A fast-moving wildfire near Marseille, France’s second-largest city, has injured at least 110 people and forced hundreds to leave their homes. According to the BBC, the fire began on Tuesday near Pennes-Mirabeau, north of the city, and quickly grew due to strong winds, dry vegetation, and steep hillsides.France’s Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said the fire is not under control and about 800 firefighters are battling the blaze. “Efforts to tackle the blaze will continue all night,” he said.
The marine firefighter battalion is waging guerrilla warfare, hoses in hand,” Marseille’s mayor, Benot Payan, described the situation as intense as quoted by the BBC. These marine firefighters are Marseille’s special fire and rescue service.
Local media reported that nine firefighters are amongst the injured, and around 400 residents have been evacuated. Local authorities warned people to stay indoors, unless told otherwise, in order to keep emergency services open.
At one point, the fire was spreading at an alarming speed of 1.2 kilometres (0.7 miles) per minute, according to Mayor Payan. He said a mix of strong wind gusts, dense forest, and steep terrain made the fire extremely hard to control.
The wildfire even forced a temporary shutdown of Marseille Provence Airport. It partially reopened around 9:30 PM (local time) after being closed for several hours. The airport’s president, Julien Coffinier, said, “I have never experienced a situation of this magnitude.”
French President Emmanuel Macron, who is currently visiting the UK, shared his support for the people affected and the firefighters. In a post on X, he wrote, “Our thoughts are with the injured and all residents.”