Over 100 Injured as Marseille Wildfire Strikes, Evacuations in Place

Sun Oct 19 2025 20:26:45 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The mayor reports the wildfire near Marseille is diminishing but remains uncontrolled as over 100 individuals sustain injuries.

French firefighters continue to combat a raging wildfire on the outskirts of Marseille, resulting in significant injuries and the evacuation of hundreds.

French firefighters are tirelessly engaging with a wildfire that has spread dangerously close to Marseille, leaving at least 110 individuals injured, including first responders. Mayor Benoit Payan noted on Wednesday that while the situation was improving, the fire was not yet fully contained. Restrictions implemented on the outskirts of the city have been lifted due to a substantial decrease in fire spread, according to the mayor's updates on social media.

Emergency services reported that injuries included nine firefighters and 22 police officers, with about 400 individuals evacuated from their homes. Authorities advised residents to remain indoors unless instructed to evacuate, ensuring emergency routes remained clear. The mayor likened the fire-fighting efforts to "guerrilla warfare" as crews battled flames intensified by strong winds and difficult terrain.

French President Emmanuel Macron, currently in the UK, expressed support for the firefighting teams and urged residents to heed safety protocols. Meanwhile, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau visited the embattled area, confirming that around 800 firefighters were working through the night to control the flames.

Marseille Provence airport resumed operations without restrictions at 9:30 local time after temporary closures caused significant disruption. The airport president acknowledged that this incident was unprecedented in its severity. The fire, which ignited on Tuesday near Pennes-Mirabeau, is estimated to have scorched approximately 700 hectares, initially triggered by a car fire on the motorway.

Residents described the scene as apocalyptic, with plumes of smoke engulfing the city. The region has not experienced measurable rainfall since May 19, contributing to the severity of the blaze.

Issues with wildfires are not restricted to Marseille, with ongoing incidents in other parts of France, along with significant outbreaks in Spain and Greece. A wildfire in Narbonne remains active, burning 2,000 hectares, while authorities in Spain and Greece have mobilized substantial resources to combat multiple fires across those nations amidst widespread heatwave conditions.