More than 100 hurt as efforts to contain Marseille wildfire continue
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More than 100 injured as French firefighters battle raging wildfire near Marseille. Blaze slows, but containment efforts continue.
Over 100 Injured as Marseille Wildfire Rages: Containment Efforts Ongoing
More than 100 people have been injured and hundreds evacuated as firefighters in southern France battle a massive wildfire that broke out on Tuesday near Pennes-Mirabeau, on the outskirts of Marseille. Although officials say the fire is now slowing down, it remains only partially contained.
According to Marseille’s mayor Benoit Payan, the blaze had reached the outer edges of the city by Tuesday evening, but efforts by firefighters helped to reduce its intensity by Wednesday morning.
“The marine firefighter battalion is waging guerrilla warfare, hoses in hand,” said Mayor Payan, referring to Marseille’s elite fire and rescue unit.
Rapid Spread and Widespread Injuries
The fire reportedly spread at a speed of 1.2 km (0.7 miles) per hour at its peak, fueled by strong winds, dense vegetation, and steep terrain. The French Interior Ministry confirmed that 110 people sustained injuries, most of them minor, but included nine firefighters and 22 police officers.
Authorities say around 400 residents were evacuated, with many forced to flee as flames approached residential zones. While earlier advisories instructed people to stay indoors unless otherwise ordered, some were forced to escape as conditions rapidly deteriorated.
Emergency Response and Political Support
President Emmanuel Macron, on a state visit to the UK, expressed solidarity via social media:
“Our thoughts are with the injured and all residents. I salute the courage of our fire crews,” he wrote on X.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau visited Marseille on Tuesday evening, stating that more than 800 firefighters had been deployed. He confirmed that firefighting operations would continue overnight as the fire was still not fully under control.
Airport Disruption and Local Impact
The fire also led to the temporary closure of Marseille Provence Airport, one of France’s busiest. All flights were halted for several hours, with limited operations resuming late Tuesday evening. Full resumption of services began at 9:30 AM local time Wednesday, though delays are still expected.
Julien Coffinier, the airport’s president, remarked:
“I’ve never experienced a situation of this magnitude. It was like a scene out of a disaster film.”
Cause of the Blaze and Regional Conditions
Investigators believe the fire was sparked by a car that caught fire on a nearby motorway. From there, it spread rapidly through about 700 hectares (7 square kilometers) of forest and shrubland.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and devastation.
“It’s very striking – apocalyptic even,” said Monique Baillard, a resident from a nearby town. “Many of my neighbors had already left.”
No rainfall has been recorded in the Bouches-du-Rhône department since May 19, according to French broadcaster BFMTV, making the region especially vulnerable to fires.
Wildfires Spread Across Europe
While Marseille battles its crisis, other parts of Europe are also facing similar wildfires. In Narbonne, southern France, another fire remains active, driven by winds reaching 60 km/h (40 mph) and consuming 2,000 hectares so far.
In Spain, the Catalonia region saw over 18,000 people ordered to stay indoors as wildfires in Tarragona province spread across nearly 3,000 hectares. High winds continued to fuel the blaze despite emergency efforts involving 300 firefighters.
Meanwhile, Greece reported 41 separate wildfires on Monday. While most were quickly contained, seven fires remained active into the evening, underscoring the increasing wildfire threat across southern Europe.
Climate Change a Growing Risk Factor
Although pinpointing a single cause for wildfires is complex, experts agree that climate change significantly increases the likelihood of hot, dry weather—prime conditions for wildfires. According to the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), these conditions are becoming more common due to rising global temperatures.
As firefighting efforts continue in Marseille and beyond, officials urge residents to follow safety instructions, remain indoors when advised, and cooperate with emergency crews.
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