 "Wildfires spreading fast in France, reaches its second-largest city Marseille; over 100 injured. Image: AFP")
A fast-moving wildfire has reached the outskirts of Marseille, France’s second-largest city, leaving around 110 people slightly injured, including nine firefighters and 22 police officers.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said roughly 800 firefighters were battling the flames and would keep working through the night, as the fire was still not under control.
Marseille’s mayor, Benoît Payan, described firefighters as fighting “guerrilla warfare, hoses in hand,” against the intense blaze.
At least 400 people have been evacuated from their homes, and residents were told to stay indoors unless ordered to leave, so roads could remain clear for emergency vehicles.
The fire was spreading rapidly, moving as fast as 1.2 km (0.7 miles) per minute at its peak. The mayor blamed strong winds, dense vegetation, and steep slopes for fueling the flames.
President Emmanuel Macron, who is visiting the UK, offered his support to emergency crews and urged people to follow safety advice. “Our thoughts are with the injured and all residents,” he posted on social media.
Interior Minister Retailleau traveled to Marseille on Tuesday evening to meet local officials.
Marseille Provence airport, which had been closed from around midday on Tuesday, planned to partially reopen from 9:30 p.m. local time (7:30 p.m. GMT). The airport’s president, Julien Coffinier, said he had “never experienced a situation of this magnitude.”