Massive Wildfire Near Marseille Injures Over 100, Forces Hundreds to Flee

By Fakorede King Abdulmajeed | Fuxma Media | July 9, 2025

A fast-moving wildfire on the outskirts of Marseille, France’s second-largest city, injured more than 100 people and forced hundreds to evacuate late Tuesday, as strong winds and dry conditions fueled one of the most intense fires the region has seen in years.

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau flew to Marseille overnight to assess the situation and coordinate emergency efforts. Speaking to reporters, he described the fire’s speed and force as “exceptional” and said it was remarkable that no lives were lost.

“Given the violence of this fire, the absence of fatalities is a miracle,” Retailleau said during a late-night press conference.

The blaze broke out in forested areas near Les Pennes-Mirabeau and spread rapidly toward the city’s northern districts, driven by high winds and extreme heat. By nightfall, it had scorched more than 700 hectares of land, disrupting air travel at Marseille Provence Airport and forcing the closure of several roads and rail lines.

More than 1,000 firefighters and several aircraft were deployed to battle the flames, which at times reached the city’s residential areas. Local officials issued emergency alerts for the 15th and 16th arrondissements, where residents were ordered to stay indoors or evacuate when safe.

Among the injured were at least nine firefighters, according to the interior ministry. Dozens of residents suffered from smoke inhalation and minor burns.

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire but point to severe drought conditions, soaring summer temperatures, and gusty mistral winds—factors that have worsened wildfire risks across the Mediterranean. France, like much of southern Europe, has been battling a wave of wildfires this summer, with significant damage reported in Spain, Greece, and Italy in recent weeks.

By early Wednesday, officials said the situation was improving but warned that strong winds could reignite parts of the blaze. Fire crews remained on high alert.

In Marseille, residents watched from balconies and rooftops as smoke filled the evening sky. “This is frightening but not surprising,” said one local resident, recalling previous summers of fire danger. “But this year, it feels worse.”

The government has pledged to strengthen its wildfire prevention measures, but with much of southern France facing weeks of dry heat ahead, authorities remain on edge.