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9th July 2025
07:57am BST
Some 110 people have been slightly injured in a rapid wildfire that has reached the outer border of Marseille, one of France's largest cities.
According to Minister Bruno Retailleau, 800 firefighters were at the scene and would remain there "all night", as the fire was not yet contained, according to the BBC. Nine firefighters are said to have been injured.
At least 400 people have been evacuated from their homes, according to French media reports.
Residents who have not been evacuated have been warned to stay indoors and not to evacuate unless they are instructed to by officials, so the roads would be clear for emergency vehicles.
At its apex, the wildfire spread at a rate of 1.2km (0.7 miles) per minute, the mayor told French broadcaster BFMTV.
On the authority of the interior ministry, as of Tuesday evening (July 8), 110 people had been slightly injured.
Among the injured are nine firefighters and 22 police officers.
French President Emmanuel Macron was on a state visit to the UK when he heard of the escalating wildfires, expressing his support for the fire crews and calling for residents to follow all safety instructions.
"Our thoughts are with the injured and all residents," the President wrote on X.
Soutien à nos pompiers et forces engagés contre les incendies dans le Sud-Est dont Marseille, Narbonne et Les Pennes-Mirabeau. Pensées pour les blessés et tous les habitants.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 8, 2025
Prudence et respect des consignes de sécurité pour faciliter l'accès des secours.
Marseille Provence airport reopened partially at around 21:30 local time (19:30 GMT) after being closed for the majority of the day on Tuesday.
The airport's president, Julien Coffinier, said he had "never experienced a situation of this magnitude," per the BBC.
The fire is believed to have covered about 700 hectares (7 sq km) since breaking out on Tuesday near Pennes-Mirabeau, north of Marseille.
According to local authorities, the fire was sparked by a car that caught fire on the motorway.
The Bouches-du-Rhône area has not recorded a single drop of rain since 19 May. This, in combination with early summer heatwaves, is the perfect climate for a wildfire to prosper.
