More than 100 people have been injured, with emergency services still in action combating a large wildfire near Marseille that has led to widespread evacuations and ongoing air disruptions.
**Marseille Wildfire Injures Over 100 as Emergency Crews Battle the Blaze**
**Marseille Wildfire Injures Over 100 as Emergency Crews Battle the Blaze**
Firefighters continue to face challenges as a significant wildfire impacts Marseille, leaving many injured and prompting evacuations.
The French city of Marseille is grappling with a severe wildfire that has left over 100 people injured and prompted significant evacuations. Mayor Benoit Payan informed the public that while the fire's intensity is "decreasing," it remains uncontained. As of Wednesday morning, 110 injuries have been reported, including among firefighters and police, with around 400 individuals evacuated from their homes. Local authorities had issued cautionary advice for residents to stay indoors to keep roads clear for emergency operations.
Fire crews, including an 800-member firefighter battalion, face considerable obstacles amidst high winds and dry conditions, which facilitated a rapid spread of the flames at a rate of 1.2 kilometers per minute, causing extensive damage across approximately 700 hectares. President Emmanuel Macron, currently in the UK, extended his support to battle crews and stressed the importance of adhering to safety guidelines.
In a noteworthy development, Marseille Provence airport has resumed operations without restrictions following temporary closures due to the fire crisis, which some local officials described as unprecedented. The blaze, ignited by a car fire on the motorway, comes amidst extreme drought conditions in the Bouches-du-Rhône area.
Elsewhere in Europe, wildfires are similarly rampant, with active blazes reported in Narbonne, Spain's Tarragona, and dozens in Greece as a heatwave exacerbates conditions across the region. The ongoing situation emphasizes the growing threat of wildfires in Europe, highlighting the urgent need for continued vigilance and robust response measures.
Fire crews, including an 800-member firefighter battalion, face considerable obstacles amidst high winds and dry conditions, which facilitated a rapid spread of the flames at a rate of 1.2 kilometers per minute, causing extensive damage across approximately 700 hectares. President Emmanuel Macron, currently in the UK, extended his support to battle crews and stressed the importance of adhering to safety guidelines.
In a noteworthy development, Marseille Provence airport has resumed operations without restrictions following temporary closures due to the fire crisis, which some local officials described as unprecedented. The blaze, ignited by a car fire on the motorway, comes amidst extreme drought conditions in the Bouches-du-Rhône area.
Elsewhere in Europe, wildfires are similarly rampant, with active blazes reported in Narbonne, Spain's Tarragona, and dozens in Greece as a heatwave exacerbates conditions across the region. The ongoing situation emphasizes the growing threat of wildfires in Europe, highlighting the urgent need for continued vigilance and robust response measures.
