Massive wildfires have erupted in southern France, forcing the closure of Marseille-Provence Airport, the country’s fifth-busiest air hub. Flights have been suspended since midday, as thick smoke and advancing flames disrupted visibility and airport operations.

According to The Independent, 168 firefighters and multiple helicopters have been deployed to battle the blaze, which continues to spread rapidly due to strong winds.

Evacuations and Warnings in Affected Regions

Residents in the Bouches-du-Rhône prefecture were urged to stay indoors, shut windows and doors, and avoid unnecessary travel. Evacuations were ordered in Le Pennes-Mirabeau, a town near the airport.

“Flights are not taking off or landing at Marseille Airport,” a spokesperson said. Many routes have been rerouted to Nice, Nîmes, and other regional airports. It’s unclear when full operations will resume.

In central Marseille, the smell of smoke and haze-filled skies have become noticeable across neighborhoods, as the fire continues to impact the city.

Wildfires Spread Across the Mediterranean

The situation mirrors similar summer fire emergencies across southern Europe. In Greece, wildfires on Crete prompted mass evacuations, with efforts to control the blaze hampered by high winds.

Meanwhile, in Turkey’s Izmir province, fires have claimed lives and destroyed entire villages, including at least three settlements wiped out by flames.