Firefighters are working overnight to contain the blaze, which has engulfed 1,700 acres.
**Fire Rages Near Marseille: Over 100 Injured as Wildfire Erupts**
**Fire Rages Near Marseille: Over 100 Injured as Wildfire Erupts**
Massive wildfire injures over a hundred people and leads to evacuations around France's second-largest city, Marseille.
A fierce wildfire near Marseille has left more than 100 individuals injured and mandated the evacuation of hundreds, as authorities rush to prevent the flames from advancing towards the city. The fire began on Tuesday due to a car fire in Les Pennes-Mirabeau, situated about eight miles north of Marseille, spreading rapidly across the parched landscape influenced by severe winds.
The French Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau, addressed the media late Tuesday, stating that among the injured were 30 firefighters and numerous local and national police personnel. Remarkably, he noted the absence of fatalities given the fire's strong intensity. Over 600 firefighters, both volunteers and professionals, are battling the flames supported by 15 aircrafts for aerial assistance. With roughly 400 residents ordered to evacuate their homes, another 14,000 were advised to stay indoors as a precaution.
Marseille-Provence Airport, a key hub for over 11 million travelers last year, halted flights due to the escalating fire but announced intentions to reopen by 9:30 PM, cautioning that delays were still likely. This wildfire broke out amid an extended heatwave that has rendered various regions across Western Europe vulnerable, with further warnings issued by the French weather agency regarding the potential for more forest fires due to similar windy conditions. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as firefighting efforts persist throughout the night.
The French Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau, addressed the media late Tuesday, stating that among the injured were 30 firefighters and numerous local and national police personnel. Remarkably, he noted the absence of fatalities given the fire's strong intensity. Over 600 firefighters, both volunteers and professionals, are battling the flames supported by 15 aircrafts for aerial assistance. With roughly 400 residents ordered to evacuate their homes, another 14,000 were advised to stay indoors as a precaution.
Marseille-Provence Airport, a key hub for over 11 million travelers last year, halted flights due to the escalating fire but announced intentions to reopen by 9:30 PM, cautioning that delays were still likely. This wildfire broke out amid an extended heatwave that has rendered various regions across Western Europe vulnerable, with further warnings issued by the French weather agency regarding the potential for more forest fires due to similar windy conditions. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as firefighting efforts persist throughout the night.
