Wildfire moving toward Marseille sparks panic as hundreds evacuated

A wildfire advancing on the port city of Marseille sparked fear among residents, as thick plumes of smoke hovered over France's second-largest city on Tuesday.

More than 700 firefighters, supported by 230 emergency vehicles, planes, and helicopters, have been deployed to battle the blaze, according to the local prefecture.

Authorities urged residents to trust the emergency measures in place, insisting that "the situation is under control."

So far, no civilian injuries have been reported, though nine firefighters have suffered minor injuries. At least 20 residential buildings in Marseille and the nearby suburb of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, where the fire first broke out, have been damaged.

The mayor of Marseille, Benoît Payan, announced the evacuation of 400 residents, according to the BFMTV television station. Three gymnasiums were being prepared to accommodate the people.

The blaze was started by a car that caught fire on a motorway near Marseille. The flames spread to the surrounding countryside and, fanned by the wind, advanced towards the city.

Elsewhere in southern France, firefighters are battling multiple vegetation fires.

In north-eastern Spain, a major forest fire is burning in Catalonia. The blaze in the Tarragona region has already scorched around 3,150 hectares of forest, according to regional president Salvador Illa. Some 18,000 residents across several municipalities have been instructed to remain indoors.