Two firefighters were killed while battling a major fire near Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport in southwestern France, according to reports by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
Local media reported that the blaze is believed to have started as a bush fire before spreading to a building near the airport’s parking area.
Images shared on social media showed passengers leaving aircraft as thick smoke rose into the sky near the affected area.
Several flights scheduled to arrive at Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport were also reported to have experienced delays due to the incident.
Around 100 firefighters, supported by specialised firefighting aircraft, were deployed to contain and extinguish the blaze.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said he was informed by authorities in the Gironde department about the deaths of the two firefighters.
During a question-and-answer session in the French Parliament, Nuñez said he would travel to Gironde “as soon as possible” to monitor the firefighting operations.
Gironde is among several regions in France badly affected by wildfires in recent days, following an intense and prolonged heatwave that has swept across the country.
The Volunteer Fire Monitoring Association (PSFDF) reported that a fire in the commune of Pontevès remained out of control and was spreading rapidly.
About 600 firefighters and rescue personnel have been deployed to contain the blaze, while at least 150 residents have been evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Data from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) showed that more than 42,000 hectares of land in France were destroyed by fires between January and mid-July, surpassing the previous record recorded in 2022.
