France wildfires reveal hundreds of WW2 shells in village

A mass of 400 historic shells and munitions was exposed in the French village of Le Porge following devastating wildfires in the south of the country. The explosions, initially misidentified as gas cylinder blasts, are suspected to be World War Two explosives triggered by the intense heat of the fires. Over 100 explosions were heard on the second night, Mayor Martial Zaninetti likening the noise to war.

Demining operations have allowed most residents to return home, though a few areas remain inaccessible. More than 180 homes were destroyed by the blaze, which led to the discovery of ammunition depots buried in the village. Mayor Zaninetti stated they were unaware of the concealed explosives and recounted explosions occurring in multiple directions, even one passing through a residence.

The mayor shared the news on Instagram, informing the public that access to the ocean, a campsite, and the village of La Jenny remained restricted. The shells, both German and French, encompassed mortars and anti-tank rounds. The forest fire's control was secured after about 10 days, ravaging the Gironde region. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu commended firefighters for their resilience in the face of the unprecedented crisis, noting the evacuation phase was transitioning into a recovery phase for affected individuals.

Europe has witnessed extensive wildfires over the past two weeks, primarily in France and Spain, with over 330,000 people evacuated. France bore the brunt of the disaster, with 42,000 hectares burned in the southwest, one of the largest forest fires since World War Two.