France wildfires: One person found dead in wildfire near Saint-Tropez

PARIS – One person has been found dead as French firefighters battled through the night to contain a wildfire in the hills behind the coastal resort of Saint-Tropez, the regional government said on Wednesday.

A government official for the Var region, where the fire broke out on Monday, said the blaze had still not been contained.

Around 20 other people were suffering from inhaling smoke from the fire, whose flames could be seen across much of the Var area.

Wildfires rage in the Var region of southeastern France on 17 August 2021. Thousands of people, including tourists in campsites, have been evacuated as a wildfire raged near the plush resort of Saint-Tropez in southern France.

AFP PHOTO: Valery Hache/AFP

President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday left his nearby summer retreat to thank the firefighters for their efforts.

Waves of extreme heat have hit much of the Mediterranean region in recent weeks, with wildfires in Spain, Greece and Turkey raising uncomfortable questions over global warming and countries' preparedness.

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