Firefighters in France are combating the largest wildfire since 1949, which has scorched over 16,000 hectares, resulted in one death, and left three missing. Two individuals, including a firefighter, are reported critically injured. The wildfire, which started on a Tuesday, has rapidly advanced near the Mediterranean and about 100km from Spain, covering an area significantly larger than Paris. Environment Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher noted the fire's progression has slowed down, suggesting some control may be achieved soon.
Firefighters are battling for a third day to contain France's biggest wildfire in nearly eight decades, which has burnt more than 16,000 hectares, killed one person, and destroyed dozens of houses. As well as the person who has died, three are missing, and two people, including a firefighter, are in critical condition, local authorities said.
The fire, around 100km from the border with Spain and close to the Mediterranean, began on Tuesday and has spread rapidly. It has already swept through an area one and a half times the size of Paris.
Officials have said it is France's biggest wildfire since 1949. The fire is now advancing more slowly, environment minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher told radio station France Info.
Collection
[
|
...
]