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Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Climate
- Free Malaysia Today
Marseille airport closed as high winds fan wildfire
Planes have not been taking off or landing since around midday at Marseille Provence airport. (AFP pic) MARSEILLE : A fast-moving wildfire in southern France, fanned by winds of up to 70kph, led to the closure of Marseille Provence airport today and was getting very close to France's second-largest city itself, officials said. The local fire service said on X that 168 firefighters had been deployed to fight the blaze of around 30 hectares near the town of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, north of Marseille. Fire engines and helicopters were also being used. 'It's very striking – apocalyptic even,' Monique Baillard, a resident of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, told Reuters. She said many of her neighbours had already left, even if there were no evacuation orders, adding: 'We're staying unless the firefighters tell us to evacuate.' 'The smoke is very striking, very acrid,' said another resident, Jacqueline Revilla. 'We were ordered to stay confined via a message on our mobile phones. We're waiting for further updates for now.' Michel Amiel, the mayor of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, told BFM TV that two housing estates had been evacuated. 'At this stage, populations must remain confined to residential areas,' the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur prefecture posted on X. 'Close shutters, doors, keep your property clear for emergency services, and do not travel on the roads.' The fire could be smelled in the centre of Marseille, a resident said, with smoke covering parts of the city. 'The fire is spreading,' the Marseille municipality said on X. 'Avoid all outdoor activities and do not block emergency access routes. Follow instructions and alert messages.' A spokesman at the mayor's office for the 15th and 16th boroughs of Marseille, which border the town of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, said the area on the outer limits of the city was increasingly threatened by the fire, and covered in thick smoke. The spokesman said they were awaiting instructions from firefighters on whether to begin evacuations, and said residents were very concerned. As the fire was spreading, residents of the 16th borough were also instructed by the prefecture to stay home, close doors and shutters and put damp cloths on any openings. A spokesman for Marseille airport, France's fourth-busiest, said planes had not been taking off or landing since around midday and some flights had been diverted to Nice, Nimes and other regional airports. It was unclear when the airport would reopen. Meanwhile, a wildfire that started near Narbonne, in southwestern France, yesterday was still active, fanned by winds of 60kph. Some 2,000 hectares have burnt, the local prefecture said. Wildfires were also raging in northeastern Spain, where large parts of the country were on high alert for fires. Last week there were fires on the Greek island of Crete and in Athens, as much of Europe sweltered in an early summer heatwave.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
110 People Injured While Thousands More Ordered to Shelter in Place amid ‘Apocalyptic' Wildfire
Officials said 110 people have been injured, including firefighters, after a wildfire broke out in the south of France on Tuesday, July 8 The fire began near Pennes-Mirabeau, where one resident described the blaze as "apocalyptic" More than 1,000 firefighters have been deployed to the area, where more than 400 people were evacuated and thousands of others were told to shelter in placeOver 100 people have been injured while thousands more have been told to shelter in place after a wildfire tore through a portion of southern France. Officials said 110 people, including firefighters and police officers, have been slightly injured due to the blaze as of Tuesday, July 8, according to The Associated Press, BBC and The New York Times. The fire began near Pennes-Mirabeau, north of Marseille, and spanned around 700 hectares (1,729 acres) of land, per AP and BBC. The blaze was reportedly sparked after a heat wave impacted various portions of Europe, leading to an elevated risk for wildfires. "It's very striking — apocalyptic even," said Monique Baillard, a resident of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, per Reuters. More than 1,000 firefighters were deployed to the coastal area, where hundreds of homes were evacuated as the fire moved through the region, according to AP and Sky News. France's interior minister, Bruno Retailleau, said at least 30 firefighters as well as police officers were among the injured, as winds helped fuel the fire, the Times reported. He also said it was 'exceptional' that the fire did not cause any deaths. Over 400 people were "ordered to evacuate" their homes due to the blaze, while another "14,000 were told to stay home," Retailleau said, per the outlet. According to AP, the prefecture said in a statement on Tuesday that 'the situation is under control,' describing the blaze as 'particularly virulent.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The wildfire destroyed 10 houses by Wednesday morning, local state representative Georges-François Leclerc said, per the Times. Flights were temporarily stopped at Marseille Provence airport, one of the busiest in the region, due to the wildfire, the BBC reported. The airport has since announced that flights will resume "without restrictions" on Wednesday, though disruptions are expected. Additionally, Hospital Nord switched to generators 'due to micro power cuts,' according to AP and EuroNews. 'The aim is to secure the imaging sector,' said the University Hospitals of Marseille. 'We are not worried as we have a high level of autonomy.' Read the original article on People
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Firefighters battle wildfire threatening French city of Marseille
By Tassilo Hummel MARSEILLE, France (Reuters) -Hundreds of firefighters battled a fast-moving wildfire that reached the outskirts of the southern French city of Marseille on Tuesday, forcing people to stay indoors and the nearby airport to close. Aided by firefighting helicopters and aircraft, the firefighters had the blaze under control by evening, officials said, but a forecast of more strong winds meant it might yet advance further towards France's second most populous city. The fire, fanned by winds of up to 70 kph (43 mph), could be smelt in the centre of Marseille as thick clouds of smoke hovered over the city on the Mediterranean coast. "It's very striking - apocalyptic even," said Monique Baillard, a resident of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, the town north of Marseille where officials said the fire started on a highway. The fire has burnt through 700 hectares (1,730 acres) and was considered to be under control even though it is still burning, regional prefect Georges-Francois Leclerc said. About 20 buildings have been at least partly hit by the fire but no fatalities have been reported and hundreds of homes have been saved by firefighters, he said. Over 700 firefighters were battling the blaze, aided by firefighting helicopters and aircraft. Wildfires, which have become more destructive in Mediterranean countries in recent years and attributed to climate change, were also raging in northeastern Spain, where large parts of the country were on high alert for fires. There were also fires last week on the Greek island of Crete and in Athens, as much of Europe sweltered in an early summer heatwave. As the fire was spreading, residents of Marseille received official alerts on their phones telling them to stay at home and put damp cloths on any openings. "As we speak, it's a battle," Payan said, likening tackling the wildfire to "guerrilla warfare". "We're waiting to see what happens overnight, because that's critical too. Everything is strategic: wind speed, humidity, nightfall — every factor matters. Once again, it's extremely complex, and the work is incredibly difficult." RESIDENTS CONFINED Two residents of the 16th borough, in the north of Marseille, near where the fire started, described how scared they had been. "It was dangerous, a lot of very dark smoke, we were really afraid. Police and firefighters did a great job," said one resident, who did not give his name and said things now looked under control in his neighbourhood. Residents were told not to evacuate unless ordered so that roads could be left clear for rescue services. "At this stage, populations must remain confined," the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur prefecture posted on X. "Close shutters, doors, keep your property clear for emergency services, and do not travel on the roads." Anne, a 51-year-old woman who works in Marseille and lives on the outskirts, said by phone: "The sky is grey with ash, and the smell of fire is very strong in the centre of Marseille." In the coastal neighbourhood of l'Estaque, restaurant owner Simon Epenmbia said he was huddling in the restaurant with his family and neighbours. "We are relatively close to the sea, where we feel safer for now and there is less smoke," he said. "I also saw other people who came here towards the beach and are sheltering in their cars." A spokesperson for Marseille airport, France's fourth-busiest, said planes had not been taking off or landing since around midday and some flights had been diverted to Nice, Nimes and other regional airports. It was unclear when it would reopen. Many train lines heading to and from Marseille were suspended. Some roads and highways were also shut. A wildfire that started near Narbonne, in southwestern France, was also still active on Monday. Some 2,000 hectares have burnt there, the local prefecture said.
The Irish Sun
08-07-2025
- Climate
- The Irish Sun
‘Apocalyptic' blazes force Marseilles airport to SHUT as residents evacuated & choking smoke billows over French region
"APOCALYPTIC" blazes have forced Marseilles International Airport to shut down as France braces to tackle raging wildfires. Plumes of acrid smoke billowed into the sky - causing the airport to close its runways shortly after midday and cancel dozens of flights. 9 A helicopter drops water on a wildfire that rapidly expands due to strong winds near the city of Marseille Credit: EPA 9 A wildfire expands due to strong winds near the city of Marseille Credit: EPA 9 L'Estaque, a district of Marseilles, covered in dense smoke Credit: AFP 9 The fire is said to have started in a vehicle in the area of Pennes-Mirabeau to the north of Marseilles. By the afternoon, it roared across 350 hectares (860 acres), according to French firefighters. The blaze, fanned by winds of up to 70 kilometres per hour, could be smelled in the centre of Marseilles, as thick clouds of smoke hovered over the city. Water-dropping planes tried to extinguish the fire on the outskirts of the city, which has some 900,000 inhabitants. more on wildfires "Its very striking - apocalyptic even," said Monique Baillard, a resident of Les Pennes-Mirabeau. A spokesperson for Marseilles airport, France's fourth-busiest, said planes had not been taking off or landing since around midday. They added that some flights had been diverted to Nice, Nimes and other regional airports. It was unclear when the airport would reopen. In response, emergency services have mobilised more than 720 firefighters and 230 water machines. Most read in The US Sun Alongside that, four water bomber helicopters, one dash aircraft and four canadairs (specialist firefighting aircraft) have been deployed, according to Sky News. The wildfire also interrupted train traffic as the blaze spread rapidly to the edges of the southern French city. Devastating wildfires spread in Turkey leaving two dead and forcing thousands to evacuate as city's mayor pleads for help French railway operator SNCF said the circulation of trains between Marseilles and the Miramas-Aix high-speed TGV train station was stopped due to a fire nearing the tracks in L'Estaque, a picturesque neighbourhood in the city. The city's mayor warned that the fire continues to spread north of Marseilles. Benoit Payan said: "The fire that started this morning in Pennes-Mirabeau continues to spread north of Marseilles. "I went to the command post of the Marseilles Firefighters Battalion to monitor the operations." He repeated previous pleas to people to stay inside and adhere to official instructions. Earlier, Payan on X warned residents that the fire was now "at the doors of Marseilles", urging inhabitants in the north of the city to refrain from taking to the roads to make way for rescue services. 9 Smoke from a wildfire rages near Plage des Corbieres, on the outskirts of Marseilles Credit: AFP 9 A fire-fighting aircraft Air Tractor AT-802 drops fire retardant over a wildfire near Aussieres neighbourhood, close to the city of Narbonne Credit: AFP 9 Smoke rises over Marseilles as a fast-moving wildfire spreads on the outskirts the city, southern France, July 8, 2025. REUTERS/Alexandre Dimou Credit: Reuters Meanwhile, the mayor of Pennes-Mirabeau said two housing estates had been evacuated and firefighters had positioned themselves outside an old people's home to fight off approaching flames. The fire near Marseilles is just the latest to have hit France in recent days. Several weeks of heat waves combined with strong winds have increased the risk of wildfires in southern France, with several breaking out over the past couple of days. To the west, near the city of Narbonne, more than 1,000 firefighters from around the country were seeking to contain another blaze. It had crept across 2,000 hectares (4,900 acres) of trees since starting on the property of a winery on Monday afternoon, they said. In the village of Prat-de-Cest on Tuesday morning, trees were blackened or still on fire. 9 A police officer tries to extinguish a car on fire in L'Estaque a district of Marseilles Credit: AFP 9 This photographs shows vegetation smouldering after a wildfire near the Aussieres neighbourhood, close to the city of Narbonne, southwestern France, on July 8, 2025. (Photo by Matthieu RONDEL / AFP) (Photo by MATTHIEU RONDEL/AFP via Getty Images) Credit: AFP
Scottish Sun
08-07-2025
- Climate
- Scottish Sun
‘Apocalyptic' blazes force Marseilles airport to SHUT as residents evacuated & choking smoke billows over French region
The fire near Marseilles is just the latest to have hit France in recent days WILDFIRE CHAOS 'Apocalyptic' blazes force Marseilles airport to SHUT as residents evacuated & choking smoke billows over French region "APOCALYPTIC" blazes have forced Marseilles International Airport to shut down as France braces to tackle raging wildfires. Plumes of acrid smoke billowed into the sky - causing the airport to close its runways shortly after midday and cancel dozens of flights. Advertisement 9 A helicopter drops water on a wildfire that rapidly expands due to strong winds near the city of Marseille Credit: EPA 9 A wildfire expands due to strong winds near the city of Marseille Credit: EPA 9 L'Estaque, a district of Marseilles, covered in dense smoke Credit: AFP 9 The fire is said to have started in a vehicle in the area of Pennes-Mirabeau to the north of Marseilles. By the afternoon, it roared across 350 hectares (860 acres), according to French firefighters. The blaze, fanned by winds of up to 70 kilometres per hour, could be smelled in the centre of Marseilles, as thick clouds of smoke hovered over the city. Water-dropping planes tried to extinguish the fire on the outskirts of the city, which has some 900,000 inhabitants. Advertisement more on wildfires DEADLY INFERNO Wildfires spread in Turkey leaving 2 dead & forcing thousands to flee "Its very striking - apocalyptic even," said Monique Baillard, a resident of Les Pennes-Mirabeau. A spokesperson for Marseilles airport, France's fourth-busiest, said planes had not been taking off or landing since around midday. They added that some flights had been diverted to Nice, Nimes and other regional airports. It was unclear when the airport would reopen. In response, emergency services have mobilised more than 720 firefighters and 230 water machines. Advertisement Alongside that, four water bomber helicopters, one dash aircraft and four canadairs (specialist firefighting aircraft) have been deployed, according to Sky News. The wildfire also interrupted train traffic as the blaze spread rapidly to the edges of the southern French city. Devastating wildfires spread in Turkey leaving two dead and forcing thousands to evacuate as city's mayor pleads for help French railway operator SNCF said the circulation of trains between Marseilles and the Miramas-Aix high-speed TGV train station was stopped due to a fire nearing the tracks in L'Estaque, a picturesque neighbourhood in the city. The city's mayor warned that the fire continues to spread north of Marseilles. Advertisement Benoit Payan said: "The fire that started this morning in Pennes-Mirabeau continues to spread north of Marseilles. "I went to the command post of the Marseilles Firefighters Battalion to monitor the operations." He repeated previous pleas to people to stay inside and adhere to official instructions. Earlier, Payan on X warned residents that the fire was now "at the doors of Marseilles", urging inhabitants in the north of the city to refrain from taking to the roads to make way for rescue services. Advertisement 9 Smoke from a wildfire rages near Plage des Corbieres, on the outskirts of Marseilles Credit: AFP 9 A fire-fighting aircraft Air Tractor AT-802 drops fire retardant over a wildfire near Aussieres neighbourhood, close to the city of Narbonne Credit: AFP 9 Smoke rises over Marseilles as a fast-moving wildfire spreads on the outskirts the city, southern France, July 8, 2025. REUTERS/Alexandre Dimou Credit: Reuters Meanwhile, the mayor of Pennes-Mirabeau said two housing estates had been evacuated and firefighters had positioned themselves outside an old people's home to fight off approaching flames. Advertisement The fire near Marseilles is just the latest to have hit France in recent days. Several weeks of heat waves combined with strong winds have increased the risk of wildfires in southern France, with several breaking out over the past couple of days. To the west, near the city of Narbonne, more than 1,000 firefighters from around the country were seeking to contain another blaze. It had crept across 2,000 hectares (4,900 acres) of trees since starting on the property of a winery on Monday afternoon, they said. Advertisement In the village of Prat-de-Cest on Tuesday morning, trees were blackened or still on fire. 9 A police officer tries to extinguish a car on fire in L'Estaque a district of Marseilles Credit: AFP
