France Wildfire Forces Evacuation of 40,000 People

Kathmandu. About 40,000 people have been evacuated to safe places due to a severe wildfire spreading in southwestern France. The fire, which has spread to the popular tourist area of Cap-Ferret peninsula, has destroyed more than 10,000 hectares of forest area and dozens of houses have been completely destroyed.

According to officials, the fire that started on Wednesday in the village of Saumos, west of Bordeaux, spread rapidly and reached the Cap-Ferret peninsula. This area, known for its pine forests, sand dunes, and oyster production, is considered a favorite tourist destination for famous people in France.

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said that about 40,000 people have been transferred to safe places. He mentioned that this is the biggest wildfire of the current season and informed that no human casualties have been reported so far.

According to him, 80 houses have been burnt due to the fire, of which about 50 have been completely destroyed. He said that the fire is still not under control and more than one thousand firefighters have been deployed to control it.

According to officials, more than four hundred people have been rescued by boat from the affected peninsula on the Atlantic coast to safe places.

President Emmanuel Macron, through social media, mentioned that the situation is very serious and informed that the European Union (EU) civil protection mechanism has been activated to control the wildfire. According to him, additional technical assistance including two 'Black Hawk' helicopters from the Czech Republic and Slovakia will arrive in France.