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France/Europe wildfires round-up
Flames ravage Corsica, three arrests
Article published on the 2009-07-26 Latest update 2009-07-26 10:15 TU
A Canadair fire-fighting aircraft drops water over burning trees near the Corsican village of Aullène
(Photo: Reuters)
Firefighters are battling flames on the French island of Corsica, where over 5,000 hectares have been ravaged by wildfires since Thursday. Three people have been charged with starting fires deliberately on the island, while police in Marseille report at least one fire set deliberately.
Weather forecasts predict an improvement in conditions in Corsica Sunday. But strong winds, smoke and high temperatures have been hampering efforts by firefighters and five airplanes to douse the flames.
On Sunday morning efforts were concentrated around the southern village of Zerubia, near Aullène, which was hit by flames Saturday but without victims or major damage to homes.
About ten new fires have been reported in Corsica since Saturday morning. Most of them are believed to have been deliberately started and were dealt with quickly.
Two livestock farmers have been arrested for arson in north Corsica, according to local police, while the Interior Ministry says that a third man has been detained.
Police in Marseille report at least one case of arson. And the Foreign Legion officer accused of accidentally starting fires in the region appeared in court on Saturday. The man, who was born on the French Indian Ocean island of Réunion, has been in the Legion for 23 years and just returned from France's mission in Afghanistan.
Elsewhere in Europe:
- In Italy firefighters battled about 17 blazes, mainly in Sardinia, Sicily and Calabria, in the south of the peninsula. Mourners at the funeral of a shepherd and a farmer in Sardinia blamed criminals and vandals for the tragedies.
- In Spain most fires are reported to be under control, after ravaging 17,000 hectares of land.
- In Greece officials remain on alert with temperatures climbing over 40 degrees Celsius.
