Hundreds of firefighters are battling a fast-moving wildfire that reached the outskirts of the southern French city of Marseille, forcing people to stay indoors and the nearby airport to close.
Aided by firefighting helicopters and aircraft, the firefighters had the blaze under control by evening, officials said, but a forecast of more strong winds meant it might yet advance further towards France's second most populous city.
The fire, fanned by winds of up to 70kph, could be smelled in the centre of Marseille as thick clouds of smoke hovered over the city on the Mediterranean coast.
"It's very striking - apocalyptic even," said Monique Baillard, a resident of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, the town north of Marseille where officials said the fire started on a highway.
Watch: Blaze raging on towards Marseille, city hall says
The fire has burned through 700 hectares and was considered to be under control even though it is still burning, regional prefect Georges-Francois Leclerc said.
About 20 buildings have been at least partly hit by the fire, but no fatalities have been reported and hundreds of homes have been saved by firefighters, he said.
Over 700 firefighters are battling the blaze, aided by firefighting helicopters and aircraft.
Wildfires, which have become more destructive in Mediterranean countries in recent years and attributed to climate change, are also raging in northeastern Spain, where large parts of the country were on high alert for fires.
There were also fires last week on the Greek island of Crete and in Athens, as much of Europe sweltered in an early summer heatwave.
As the fire was spreading, residents of Marseille received official alerts on their phones telling them to stay at home and put damp cloths on any openings.
"As we speak, it's a battle," Payan said, likening tackling the wildfire to "guerrilla warfare".
"We're waiting to see what happens overnight, because that’s critical too. Everything is strategic: wind speed, humidity, nightfall — every factor matters. Once again, it’s extremely complex, and the work is incredibly difficult."
Two residents of the 16th borough, in the north of Marseille, near where the fire started, described how scared they had been.
"It was dangerous, a lot of very dark smoke, we were really afraid. Police and firefighters did a great job," said one resident, who did not give his name and said things now looked under control in his neighbourhood.
Residents were told not to evacuate unless ordered to do so that roads could be left clear for rescue services.
"At this stage, populations must remain confined," the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur prefecture posted on X.
"Close shutters, doors, keep your property clear for emergency services, and do not travel on the roads," it said.
Anne, a 51-year-old woman who works in Marseille and lives on the outskirts, said by phone: "The sky is grey with ash, and the smell of fire is very strong in the centre of Marseille."
In the coastal neighbourhood of L'Estaque, restaurant owner Simon Epenmbia said he was huddling in the restaurant with his family and neighbours.
"We are relatively close to the sea, where we feel safer for now and there is less smoke," he said.
"I also saw other people who came here towards the beach and are sheltering in their cars," he added.
A spokesperson for Marseille airport, France's fourth-busiest, said planes had not been taking off or landing since around midday and some flights had been diverted to Nice, Nimes and other regional airports. It was unclear when it would reopen.
Many train lines heading to and from Marseille were suspended. Some roads and motorways were also shut.
A wildfire that started near Narbonne, in southwestern France, is also still active. Some 2,000 hectares have been burnt there, the local prefecture said.
Greece shuts Acropolis for part of day as heat soars, bans outdoor work
It comes as Greece shut the Acropolis for several hours, as the Mediterranean country endures its second major heatwave of the season, with temperatures set to soar as high as 41C.
Last week, large parts of western Europe sweltered in a severe heatwave that left eight dead and triggered forest fires and health alerts across the region.
With hot air and humidity worsening conditions, authorities ordered some businesses in Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city, and other areas on the mainland and southern Peloponnese peninsula, to limit outdoor work for employees in the afternoon.
Builders, food delivery riders, couriers and shipyard workers are among those having to pause work from midday until 5pm to avoid heat stress, the labour ministry said.
The heatwave conditions will continue until tomorrow, the Greek meteorological service said.
Authorities in the wider Athens and other areas will be on alert for wildfires as gale-force winds are expected.
Greece, which sits on Europe's southernmost edge, also had its warmest winter and summer last year on record, including a 16-day heatwave in July, the longest ever, according to scientists.
