Thousands evacuated, wildfires spread in France
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"The evacuations, at least 10,000, followed the progression of the fire. It's an area that doubles or triples its population in summer," said a fire service official of the blaze near Bormes-les-Mimosas.
Firefighters battled wind-whipped infernos along the French Riviera coast yesterday as the flames torched vegetation on hills overlooking Mediterranean resorts packed with tourists.
Local authorities said several firefighters were injured and one hospitalised but there were no immediate reports of deaths, unlike with similar wildfires that have killed dozens elsewhere in southern Europe, notably Portugal.
Authorities said a blaze near the Croix Valmer resort had engulfed 650 hectares of land in one of several spots where fires prompted closure of parts of the local road network, a rail line and at one stage part of the A51 motorway in the southeastern corner of France. ■