With wildfire victims in the Pyrénées-Orientales: 'It was a great inferno in the night, like an Etna'

Wildfires raging since Saturday in the Aspres massif and surrounding areas of the Pyrénées-Orientales in southern France have forced the evacuation of 10,000 people. The scale of the blaze has prompted a significant emergency response, with firefighters battling the flames across the affected region.

The municipality of Thuir is actively organizing reception centers to accommodate some of the displaced residents. The effort is being bolstered by spontaneous support from volunteers who have come forward to assist those affected by the fires.

Residents described the intensity of the fires, with one comparing the scene to a "great inferno in the night, like an Etna." The dramatic imagery underscores the severity of the situation faced by communities in the region.

The ongoing fires have disrupted lives and livelihoods, necessitating a coordinated effort between local authorities and community members to manage the crisis and provide support to the thousands who have lost their homes.

“

It was a great inferno in the night, like an Etna.