Devastating Wildfire in Southern France Claims Life and Injures Nine

A catastrophic wildfire in the Corbières massif, southwest of Narbonne, France, has consumed over 11,000 hectares, resulting in the tragic death of one woman and injuries to at least nine others. Colonel Christophe Magny, head of the Aude fire department, reported that the deceased woman perished in her home in Saint Laurent de la Cabrerisse under circumstances that a judicial investigation will further clarify. Among the nine injured are two civilians, one of whom is in critical condition, while the other seven are firefighters who bravely battled the flames. The wildfire continues to spread uncontrollably, prompting officials to close the A9 highway in both directions north of Perpignan, near the Spanish border in La Jonquera. Traffic reports indicate significant congestion, with jams extending up to two kilometers. Additionally, the A61 highway connecting Toulouse to Narbonne is experiencing delays due to the ongoing emergency. Declared around 4:15 PM local time on Tuesday in the municipality of Ribaute, this wildfire has now become the most severe incident of the summer in France. Authorities attribute the rapid spread of flames to adverse weather conditions, affecting 15 municipalities. The prefecture has mobilized extensive resources to combat the blaze, with about 1,500 firefighters currently on the ground. This number is expected to rise to 1,800 on Wednesday, with additional aerial support. The devastating fire has led to the destruction of 25 homes, left 2,500 residents without electricity, and forced the closure of numerous roads. In light of the emergency, authorities are urging the public to minimize travel to avoid creating further congestion on the roads. Smoke from the fire has spread for dozens of kilometers and is visible even from across the Spanish border. Stay updated with El Huffpost by following all the news through our mobile app, available for both Android and iOS users. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2