Wildfires in southern France reveal cache of historic munitions
Blasts during wildfires in Le Porge were caused by World War Two explosives detonated by the heat.
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Wildfires in Le Porge, southern France, triggered over 100 explosions from a previously unknown cache of 400 historic World War Two shells and munitions detonated by the heat.
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Wildfires in southern France ignited buried World War Two munitions in Le Porge, causing over 100 explosions and destroying houses.
Wildfires in the south of France have revealed a cache of 400 historic shells and munitions in the village of Le Porge, according to local authorities.
Blasts during the fires, initially thought to be exploding gas cylinders, may have been World War Two explosives detonated by the heat, the local fire commander told local media.
More than 100 explosions were heard on the second night of the fire, Mayor Martial Zaninetti told French news outlet France Info, likening it to "the sound of war".
Demining operations have now seen most residents return to their homes, however the mayor has said certain areas are still off-limits. More than 180 houses in the area were destroyed by the wildfire.
"There were ammunition depots buried in land within our municipality, but we didn't know it, and they exploded", Zaninetti told France Info.
He described them going "to the right, to the left" and that there was "even one that went through a house".
Offene Fragen
- How many unexploded munitions remain in the area?
- When will displaced residents return to off-limits zones?
