Flights were grounded at Marseille airport on Tuesday after wildfires raged near France’s second-largest city, causing mass cancellations and disruption continuing into Wednesday.
The blaze was fanned by winds of up to 70km (43 miles) per hour and could be smelled in the centre of Marseille as thick clouds of smoke descended over the coastal city, leaving at least 110 people treated for smoke inhalation and related injuries.
The fire was thought to be caused by a vehicle that caught fire on the A552 motorway, local media said. It was then exacerbated by strong winds.
The port city of Marseille on the Mediterranean coast is a popular southern hotspot for tourists, drawn to the historic destination for its architectural landmarks, seafood cuisine and buzzing social scene.
Here’s everything we know about the Marseille wildfires and the latest travel advice amid the flight chaos.
Where are the wildfires?
The fire broke out near the town of Les Pennes-Mirabeau before moving towards Marseille, with 1,000 firefighters on the scene trying to tackle the blaze.
The wildfire burned through around 700 hectares near Marseille on Tuesday, with the city’s mayor Benoit Payan warning that the fires reached “the gates of” the city, prompting the airport to close and residents being ordered to stay indoors.
Although the fire is still burning, authorities said it is now considered to be under control, yet a forecast of strong winds still means there is a risk it could advance.
The mayor urged residents in parts of the city to “remain confined” as the blaze approached.
As the fire escalated, residents in the city received alerts on their phones advising them to stay home and put damp cloths on any openings. They were told not to evacuate unless ordered to and to try and keep roads clear for emergency services.
Is Marseille Airport open and will my flight be cancelled?
Marseille Provence Airport temporarily shut down flight operations on Tuesday, with many flights cancelled and some being diverted to Nice, Nimes and other regional airports.
On Wednesday at 9.30am, the airport resumed flight arrivals and departures.
“Disruptions are still expected. We encourage travellers to check our updated real-time list of departing and
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