Marseille Wildfire Injures Over 100 as Firefighting Efforts Intensify

Efforts to control a fierce wildfire near Marseille have resulted in over 100 injuries and evacuations, as the fire spreads dramatically across the region.

French firefighters are engaged in a relentless battle against a wildfire that has reached the borders of Marseille, leaving more than 100 individuals injured. Mayor Benoit Payan reported that while the fire is "decreasing," it remains uncontrolled as of Wednesday morning. Following a "significant decline" in the blaze's spread, restrictions previously enforced in the outskirts have been lifted.

The interior ministry indicated that 110 people, including nine firefighters and 22 police officers, sustained minor injuries since the fire ignited on Tuesday. Approximately 400 residents have been evacuated from their homes, and locals were advised to remain indoors unless directed otherwise to avoid congestion on emergency routes.

Mayor Payan likened the firefighting efforts to "guerrilla warfare" as the marine firefighter battalion engaged in rigorous containment efforts. At its zenith, the wildfire advanced at an alarming speed of 1.2 kilometers (0.7 miles) per minute, attributed to a mix of strong wind gusts, dense vegetation, and challenging terrain.

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his solidarity with the fire crews and urged citizens to adhere to safety protocols, sharing his concerns for the residents and the injured on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau arrived in Marseille on Tuesday evening to coordinate efforts, stating that around 800 firefighters would continue their work throughout the night to combat the ongoing threat.

Marseille Provence Airport announced a resumption of flights "without restrictions" at 9:30 AM local time, following a temporary closure the previous day. Julien Coffinier, the airport's president, remarked that such a massive emergency response had been unprecedented in his experience.

The blaze, which started earlier on Tuesday near Pennes-Mirabeau, has already scorched around 700 hectares (1,730 acres) of land. Local officials reported that the fire was ignited by a car blaze on the motorway. Resident Monique Baillard described the scene as "apocalyptic," with many neighbors opting to evacuate.

Wildfire smoke billowed over Marseille as flames wreaked havoc in the surrounding hilly areas. The Bouches-du-Rhône region has not experienced any rainfall since May 19, contributing to the extreme conditions.

In addition to the fires affecting Marseille, another wildfire near Narbonne, which began on Monday, continues to burn due to gusty winds clocking 60 km/h (37 mph), having already ravaged around 2,000 hectares.

Across Europe, wildfires are also affecting regions such as Catalonia in Spain, where over 18,000 people were instructed to stay indoors due to another blaze, and Greece, where at least 41 wildfires were reported recently. With much of southern and western Europe experiencing severe heatwaves, authorities are on heightened alert as natural disasters unfold.