Marseille (TDI):Â A fast-moving wildfire reached the outskirts of the southern French city of Marseille on Tuesday, forcing people to stay inside and shut all openings to be safe from smoke and leading nearby airports to be shut down. Hundreds of firefighters battled the wildfires engulfing Marseille.
It is reported that the fire broke out near the town of Les Pennes-Mirabeau before racing towards Marseille.Â
Marseille mayor Benoit Payan on X warned residents that the fire was now “at the doors of Marseille”, urging inhabitants in the north of the city to avoid traveling on roads to clear the way for rescue services.
🔴 Le violent incendie déclaré aux Pennes-Mirabeau est maintenant aux portes de Marseille.
Je demande à tous les Marseillais d’être extrêmement vigilants et de limiter au maximum leurs déplacements pour laisser place aux secours, notamment au Nord de la ville.
🔴 Les…
— Benoît Payan (@BenoitPayan) July 8, 2025
Due to the help of firefighting helicopters and aircraft, firefighters had the fire under control by the evening. However, officials said that the forecast is predicting strong winds, which means that it might advance towards France’s second most populous city.
The fire triggered by strong winds of up to 70 kph could be smelled in Marseille, and thick clouds of smoke hovered over the Mediterranean coast.
The fire has burned through 1,730 acres and was considered to be under control even though it is still burning, regional prefect Georges-Francois Leclerc said.
According to the interior ministry, as of Tuesday evening, 110 people had been slightly injured, including nine firefighters and 22 police officers.
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The wildfires didn’t damage infrastructure on a larger scale, as firefighters saved hundreds of homes, and only 20 buildings were partly hit by fire. It is reported that over 700 firefighters were battling the wildfire.Â
According to French media, around 400 people have been evacuated from their homes. The city’s mayor, Benoît Payan, said earlier that the “marine firefighter battalion is waging guerrilla warfare, hoses in hand,” referring to Marseille’s fire and rescue service.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who is currently on a state visit to the UK, expressed his support and acknowledgement for the fire crews and called for residents to follow the safety instructions given by the government.Â
The spokesperson for Marseille airport said that planes aren’t taking off or landing, and some flights have been diverted to Nice or other regional airports.Â
An IR student whose interest lies in diplomacy and current affairs and a part time debater
