Most holidaymakers return to their campsites after Pyrenees wildfire
16 August 2023, 08:04
Up to 3,000 people had been evacuated from Argeles-sur-Mer in southern France.
Holidaymakers have mostly returned to their campsites after a wildfire ripped through 500 hectares (1,235 acres) of land near the seaside resort of Argeles-sur-Mer in the Pyrenees, southern France, authorities said.
Up to 3,000 people on four campsites had been evacuated on Monday evening as a precaution.
Authorities said the fire was contained overnight, but remains under close surveillance.
Local firefighters said one of the campsites and one house were destroyed by the blaze.
That has left about 350 to 400 people without accommodation, Rodrigue Furcy, head of the administration in the Pyrenees-Orientales region, told local radio France Bleu Roussillon.
They are being looked after by the Argeles-sur-Mer city hall, according to authorities.
More than 600 firefighters, 11 firefighting aircraft and three helicopters were deployed at the popular tourist area as a combination of extremely hot weather, drought and strong winds caused the flames to spread rapidly, authorities said.
