France wildfires reveal hundreds of WW2 shells in village
BBC World
BBC World
Original Source
Wildfires in southern France have uncovered a cache of approximately 400 World War Two shells and munitions buried in the village of Le Porge. The explosions resulting from these munitions detonating due to heat destroyed over 180 homes and forced residents to evacuate.
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".
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".
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Tags:#فرنسا#حرائق#ذخائر تاريخية#الحرب العالمية الثانية#كوارث طبيعية#أوروبا
Source: BBC World
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