Millions return home as Pacific tsunami warnings lifted
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RTHK
5 hours ago
- RTHK
Deadly wildfire spreads in southern France
Deadly wildfire spreads in southern France The blaze has burned some 15,000 hectares of land in less than 24 hours. Photo: AFP Hundreds of firefighters on Wednesday battled to halt the spread of a wildfire in southern France that has scorched a vast area, killed one person and injured nine others. The blaze, which started on Tuesday, has destroyed or damaged 25 homes in the southern Aude department, where some 2,000 firefighters are struggling to control the largest wildfire in France this summer. "The fire is still very active and the situation remains unfavourable," said Lucie Roesch, secretary general of the Aude prefecture, citing drought conditions, rising temperatures and strong winds. An elderly woman died in her home, one person is missing and two people were injured, one of whom is now in critical condition with severe burns, according to the Aude prefecture. Seven firefighters have also been injured by smoke inhalation. The blaze has burned some 15,000 hectares of land in less than 24 hours. "The fire is advancing in an area where all the conditions are ripe for it to progress," Roesch said. Planes were dropping water on the flames, but Roesch warned "this fire will keep us busy for several days. It's a long-term operation". Camping grounds and at least one village were partially evacuated, and several roads have been closed. "I left everything behind me," said David Cerdan, a 51-year-old who fled Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, where a woman in her 60s died after she refused to leave her home. "I'm putting it into perspective. I only have material damage," said Cerdan, who lived near the victim. Prime Minister Francois Bayrou and Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau were to visit the Aude department on Wednesday. An investigation has been opened into the cause of the fire, said local officials. The wildfire is the biggest in France so far in a summer which has already seen some 9,000 fires, mainly along the Mediterranean coast, according to the emergency management service. "All of the nation's resources are mobilised," President Emmanuel Macron said on X, while calling on people to exercise "the utmost caution". (AFP)
RTHK
5 hours ago
- RTHK
Deadly wildfire spreads in southern France
Deadly wildfire spreads in southern France The blaze has burned some 15,000 hectares of land in less than 24 hours. Photo: AFP Hundreds of firefighters on Wednesday battled to halt the spread of a wildfire in southern France that has scorched a vast area, killed one person and injured nine others. The blaze, which started on Tuesday, has destroyed or damaged 25 homes in the southern Aude department, where some 2,000 firefighters are struggling to control the largest wildfire in France this summer. "The fire is still very active and the situation remains unfavourable," said Lucie Roesch, secretary general of the Aude prefecture, citing drought conditions, rising temperatures and strong winds. An elderly woman died in her home, one person is missing and two people were injured, one of whom is now in critical condition with severe burns, according to the Aude prefecture. Seven firefighters have also been injured by smoke inhalation. The blaze has burned some 15,000 hectares of land in less than 24 hours. "The fire is advancing in an area where all the conditions are ripe for it to progress," Roesch said. Planes were dropping water on the flames, but Roesch warned "this fire will keep us busy for several days. It's a long-term operation". Camping grounds and at least one village were partially evacuated, and several roads have been closed. "I left everything behind me," said David Cerdan, a 51-year-old who fled Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, where a woman in her 60s died after she refused to leave her home. "I'm putting it into perspective. I only have material damage," said Cerdan, who lived near the victim. Prime Minister Francois Bayrou and Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau were to visit the Aude department on Wednesday. An investigation has been opened into the cause of the fire, said local officials. The wildfire is the biggest in France so far in a summer which has already seen some 9,000 fires, mainly along the Mediterranean coast, according to the emergency management service. "All of the nation's resources are mobilised," President Emmanuel Macron said on X, while calling on people to exercise "the utmost caution". (AFP)
South China Morning Post
9 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
2025 black rainstorm may be among Hong Kong's costliest natural disasters for insurance
This week's record-breaking deluge may rank among Hong Kong's costliest natural disasters for insurers, as the owners of cars and properties started to submit claims for damages caused by 11 hours of the highest category of rainstorm. Advertisement The payouts may top the damages caused by last month's Typhoon Wipha , but will be less than the HK$1.54 billion (US$196.2 million) havoc wrought by the last black rainstorm in September 2023, thanks to the mitigating measures taken by the government and business owners, said Zurich Insurance's Greater China CEO, Eric Hui. 'We received many claims from car owners due to flooding,' Hui said. 'There are also claims from homeowners who suffered losses from the heavy rain.' Hong Kong received 358.8mm (14 inches) of rainfall on Tuesday, the heaviest precipitation in August since the Hong Kong Observatory began keeping records in 1884. The most severe category of rainstorm warning was in place for 11 hours, second only to the one issued on September 7, 2023, which lasted for 16 hours and 35 minutes. Bride's Pool Road connecting Tai Po with the New Territories was damaged by a landslide during the black rainstorm on August 5, 2025. Photo: Handout The downpours triggered 29 floods that were categorised as 'significant' and caused 15 landslides in areas such as Tseung Kwan O, Central, the Western District, and Tai Po, with floodwater-submerged vehicles and damage to shops and property across the city.
