Spectacular fire devastates part of Marseilles in France
A giant fire, started on the northern outskirts of Marseilles on July 8, 2025, quickly spread to the north of the city, reaching certain districts. Some 700 hectares around Marseilles were burnt.
The fast-moving fire came to lick urban areas in the north and coastal neighborhoods of the 15th and 16th districts. “It progressed extremely “swiftly,” explained the Minister of domestic affairs, Bruno Retailleau, who made a brief visit to the city.
Authorities asked 15,000 inhabitants of these districts to stay confined up at home. Rescue teams indicated slight injuries for 110 people but luckily no decease. Fire men evacuated 450 people as the blaze affected several dozen homes.
In the early hours on July 9, the fire edges were still active, according to the prefecture. The wind, which has weakened slightly according to a spokesman of the fire brigade, is effectively still blowing. It makes it difficult for the 1,000 men from fire brigades to fight it, especially in dense urban areas.
The fire disrupted rail and air connections in the second largest city in France. Authorities closes on July 8 about midday Marseilles Provence International airport. The airport partially reopened from 21:30 local time. Airport’s president Julien Coffinier declared to the newspaper Le Monde that he had “never experienced a situation of this magnitude“. The airport could again face partial closure if heavy smokes affect the visibility for aircraft. “We encourage travelers to check our updated list of departing flights and arriving flights, and to reach out to their operating airline for more information,” posted the airport on its website.
Air transport back to normal but rail services still affected on July 9
Disruptions affected as well rail traffic. The blaze generated the suspension of train traffic between Marseille and Avignon and disrupted high-speed train connections with Paris. It also forced the authorities to close several roadways, including the A55 motorway, causing a traffic jam that only eased late in the evening.
National railway SNCF indicated on Tuesday evening that train traffic at Marseilles station would remain “very impacted” on July 9. “Marseilles-Saint Charles main rail station is not closed” and “regional train services to Nice-Ventimiglia and Aix-Ville are maintained,” according to the latest situation report.
Meanwhile, SNCFurged passengers “to postpone their journey and not to go to the station.” The most affected lines are regional rail services according to the national rail company. However, high-speed trains are due to circulate again.
TravelMole Editorial Team
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