Tourists watch in horror as wildfires rage in French city and told 'it's not finished'

Wildfires have hit Marseille in France. (Image: Frederic Munsch/SIPA/Shutterstock)

Tourists have watched on in horror as a wildfire raged in France's second largest city. 110 people were treated for smoke inhalation and related injuries, and officials said on Wednesday that the blaze had been pushed back overnight, but remains unextinguished. At 9.06am, it was reported that Mariner-firefighters were "still battling the flames to protect Marseille and its residents". They have been described as "heroes".

Also this morning, Marseille Mayor Benoit Payan said in a post on X: "The significant decline of  the fire that reached Northern Marseille allows us to announce this morning the lifting of confinement in the 16th arrondissement. I urge all Marseillais to exercise the utmost caution in the area, as emergency services are at work." Police Municipale de Marseille said in an update: "Thank you to all the agents of the Marseille Municipal Police, engaged from the earliest hours, present day and night, for their exemplary mobilization alongside the residents of the 16th district.

Flames have reached the outskirts of Marseille. (Image: Frederic Munsch/SIPA/Shutterstock)

"The mobilization continues unwaveringly."

Yesterday, the fire started in Pennes-Mirabeau and spread north of the city.

As of 6.54pm, 720 personnel from the BMPM, the largest unit of the French Navy, and firefighters were still mobilized.

Four gymnasiums were opened to accommodate evacuated Marseillais, and "strict confinement" was requested in the 16th arrondissement.

Citizens were also urged to "stay cautious, keep yourself safe, and avoid any unnecessary travel".

Mr Payan expressed his thanks to firefighter sailors who had been "battling this fire for hours".

The blaze grounded all flights to and from Marseille and halted train traffic in most of the surrounding area on Tuesday.

There remained issues with train, road and plane traffic on Wednesday.

The Associated Press reports that more than 1,000 firefighters were deployed to tackle the fire, which broke out near the town of Les Pennes-Mirabeau before heading towards Marseille.

Around 720 hectares were hit by the blaze, locals officials have said.

The fire has been described as “particularly virulent”, as it came on a cloudless, windy day after a lengthy heatwave around Europe.

The weather left the area dry and at heightened risk for wildfires.