Foreign Office warning after 13 people injured in French holiday resort and flights cancelled
Brits have been warned to 'be vigilant'
A plane in Marseille Provence Airport
(Image: Urbanandsport/NurPhoto )
A major wildfire in the French resort city of Marseille has spread to the northern outskirts, with authorities warning that overnight firefighting efforts will be 'critical' in containing the flames. Nine firefighters are among at least 13 people who have been confirmed to be injured so far according to reports.
The blaze has forced the closure of a local airport and is sending smoke billowing across miles of sunlit countryside, including near the well-known landmark, Notre-Dame de la Garde. Marseille Aiport is currently closed although the Foreign Office shared that it 'may reopen later' and has reminded travellers that fires are common at this time of year, warning people to 'be vigilant' if they are staying in a high-risk area.
Videos shared on social media show huge plumes of smoke rising from the Marseille forest. Locals helicopters are circling overhead at the airport as part of the emergency response. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
Flights are being rerouted to Nice, another major tourist destination, as fire crews continue to tackle the flames.
The outbreak follows a weekend of strong winds that allowed 'nascent fires to spread very quickly.'
The Foreign Office currently states: 'Marseille Airport is currently closed due to wildfires in the area.
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'It may reopen later today, but you should contact your operator for the latest information.
'Wildfires can start anywhere in France during the summer months, particularly along the Mediterranean coast and in Corsica.
'The French weather service have launched a fire alert map for travellers to check.'
The government body also reminds Brits that fires have become more frequent because of drought and high temperatures, noting that French authorities may evacuate areas and close roads for safety reasons.
The advice if you're staying in a high-risk area is to
check the local safety and emergency procedures
be vigilant
follow the advice of local authorities
And if you are caught in, or witness, a wildfire call the emergency services on 18 (fire) or 112 (emergency services).
See information for property owners about bush clearance which can be mandatory in some areas.
France's weather agency, Météo France, had issued prior warnings that conditions could rapidly deteriorate.
In a statement on Monday, they said: 'Hundreds of hectares were ravaged by fires over the weekend. As of Saturday, the danger level was very high locally.
'A very high fire danger level means a risk of fires starting and the potential for these fires to spread very significantly.'
Wildfires like the one currently affecting Marseille are becoming more common and more dangerous across France and Europe.
In recent years, unusually hot, dry, and windy weather made worse by climate change has created perfect conditions for fires to start and spread quickly.
France had one of its worst wildfire seasons in 2022, with around 75,000 hectares of land burned.
In 2023, fires across Europe destroyed over 500,000 hectares which is twice the size of Luxembourg.
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Strong winds, high temperatures, and long droughts are making fire seasons longer and more intense than ever before and many fires are also started by human activity, either by accident or on purpose.
If you're in an affected area, the French government's Civil Protection website and local préfectures provide emergency advice, evacuation updates, and safety information.
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