Wildfires rage near Marseille, forcing evacuations & flight diversions (PHOTOS)
Several wildfires have affected areas near Marseille, with huge clouds of smoke covering the skies above the southern French port city.
Ciel apocalyptique à Marseille pic.twitter.com/gKuVZVTonW
— Florent Deloison (@FlorentDeloison) August 10, 2016
The smoke from the blaze has reportedly caused numerous delays at Marseille airport, with planes being diverted to other sites.
Aéroport #Marseille vols en retards et déroutés #incendie#vitrollespic.twitter.com/kUbIBKbOqG
— stephane duchemin (@stagef) August 10, 2016
Several separate "significant" fires have been raging on Wednesday in the southern France region of Bouches-du-Rhone, the most densely populated department of the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region, local media reported.
#BFMTV#marseille#feupic.twitter.com/VUZFwJ4lZM
— Kevin Tweet (@KevinMaura) August 10, 2016
Was not expecting to see this out of a car window today #Marseillepic.twitter.com/9y082UlFMb
— Liam Hesketh (@LiamHesketh) August 10, 2016
The flames are reportedly getting close to industrial areas near Marseille, with several roads being closed off in the area. The situation remains "tense" and poses a threat to businesses in the region, France's Midi Libre reported. Hundreds of people and dozens of vehicles have been deployed to fight the blaze.
La #pointerouge#Marseille sous la fumée des #incendies de #Vitrolles ! pic.twitter.com/rWfQ3Gqrhi
— Augé Stéphanie (@AugStphanie) August 10, 2016
Residents of several neighborhoods in the town of Vitrolles, some 30km (18 miles) north of Marseille, have been evacuated, radio Europe 1 reported.
#incendie#rognac#Vitrollespic.twitter.com/Tp6Kns1FkC
— Tim Roll (@TimotheRolland) August 10, 2016
De la fenêtre du bureau. 17h. #incendie#Marseille#BouchesduRhone#Vitrollespic.twitter.com/LiNHdQooal
— Rem's (@BillTremendous_) August 10, 2016
Although some fires have been contained, another blaze in a pine forest is spreading, Europe 1 said, adding that the situation is worsened by strong winds. Some 600 hectares have been engulfed in flames, local officials said.
Le ciel de Marseille partiellement obscurci par un nuage de fumée 🔥🌬🌤 #nofilter cc @BFMTVpic.twitter.com/EJfoqztMkp
— Adrien Gindre (@agindre) August 10, 2016
In another department in southern France, Herault, four firefighters have reportedly been injured while battling the blaze, three of them seriously.
Sinon il fait nuit à #Marseille#incendieFospic.twitter.com/wjJ4F94hrA
— ☠ΛlbΛn Lipp☠ (@albanlipp) August 10, 2016