In the latest developments of a fierce wildfire on the outskirts of Marseille, emergency services report over 100 injuries, prompting significant evacuations. This catastrophic event, triggered by a vehicle fire, is exacerbated by ongoing heatwave conditions affecting western Europe.
Wildfire Near Marseille Leads to Injuries and Evacuations Amidst Intense Heat Wave
Wildfire Near Marseille Leads to Injuries and Evacuations Amidst Intense Heat Wave
A rapidly spreading wildfire near Marseille has left over 100 injured and forced the evacuation of hundreds as authorities work to contain the flames fueled by extreme temperatures.
The wildfire ignited in Les Pennes-Mirabeau, approximately eight miles north of the bustling city of Marseille, where firefighters faced immense challenges while combatting the flames into early Wednesday morning. By late Tuesday, the blaze had scorched around 1,700 acres, leading to the evacuation of 400 residents and home confinement advisories issued for 14,000 others. Flight operations at the Marseille-Provence Airport were suspended temporarily, citing proximity to the fire.
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, who arrived on-site for an emergency briefing, confirmed that over 110 individuals had been injured, with particular concern for around 30 of those being firefighters battling the blaze. Remarkably, no fatalities were reported, which Mr. Retailleau labeled as "exceptional" given the devastation observed.
The inferno’s rapid expansion is attributed to hot, dry conditions across Western Europe, exacerbated by unrelenting winds, which have transformed local woodlands into fire hazards. Firefighting efforts have mobilized approximately 600 personnel alongside aerial support from 15 planes and helicopters. Continuous weather forecasts indicate that the risk of additional wildfires remains high, prompting alerts across various regions in France as the country endures this challenging heatwave.
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, who arrived on-site for an emergency briefing, confirmed that over 110 individuals had been injured, with particular concern for around 30 of those being firefighters battling the blaze. Remarkably, no fatalities were reported, which Mr. Retailleau labeled as "exceptional" given the devastation observed.
The inferno’s rapid expansion is attributed to hot, dry conditions across Western Europe, exacerbated by unrelenting winds, which have transformed local woodlands into fire hazards. Firefighting efforts have mobilized approximately 600 personnel alongside aerial support from 15 planes and helicopters. Continuous weather forecasts indicate that the risk of additional wildfires remains high, prompting alerts across various regions in France as the country endures this challenging heatwave.
