Philippe Magoni/EPA
A Havilland Dash firefighting plane launches fire retardant on a forest fire in Saint Laurent de la Cabrerisse, in the department of Aude, France.
Area larger than Paris burned all in the “most significant” fire since 1949. At least 25 houses have been consumed by fire.
South France is currently facing “the most significant fire” in the country since 1949, according to the country’s government.
The fire, which draws in the region of Corbièresnorth of PerpignanIt has already destroyed at least 25 houses, 35 vehicles and consumed thousands of hectares of vegetation.
More than 16 thousand hectares burnedaccording to, which notes that those responsible for fighting the flames classify the fire as “gigantic“.
A 65 -year -old woman lost her life while being cornered by the flames, 13 people were injured – including 11 firefighters – and three remain missing. 17 reception centers have already been installed, with capacity to receive up to 1,759 homeless.
More than two thousand firefighters, supported by 500 vehicles and 130 aerial assets, have been on the ground to fight the flames. Although the fire is progressing more slowly, the strong winds and dense vegetation are making work difficult. The commander of the firefighters of the region of hearswhere the images captured are terrifying, showed hope of controlling the fire soon.
The fire in Aude, France is still completely out of control
— Volcaholic (@volcaholic1)
– The fire in Aude is the most violent of the 21st century in France. More than 24 hours after the start of the fire, it remains completely uncontrollable.
– 16,000 hectares burned
– 15 affected municipalities
– 1 dead, 1 disappeared, 9 injured (including 7 firefighters)
– 2 000…— Bastion (@BastionMediaFR)
⚠️♨️It is the largest since 1949 in , started about 26hrs ago in the and rapidly increased at more than 16000Ha, with 2000 firefighters on it
⬇️first with its plume and hotspot along 30km of fire front.— SatWorld (@or_bit_eye)
French Prime Minister François Bayrou classified the fire as a “Wasteless catastrophe”blaming climate change and drought. The European Union, through the President of the European Commission, has shown availability to mobilize mechanism resources to support France in this combat.
“My thoughts have the brave firefighters that fight the fire. We are ready to mobilize the resources of the resumed to support the efforts to control the fires,” writes the president of the European Commission, “wrote Ursula Von Der Leyen, in X.
The fire is already considered the most devastating in French territory since there are official records, surpassing the great fires of 2006 and becoming a tragic symbol of the increasing effects of climate change in Europe.
