World War II Munitions Unearthed by Wildfires in Southern France

A forest fire in the village of Le Porge, located in the south of France, has revealed a cache of approximately 400 World War II shells and munitions. Local authorities report that the heat from the fires detonated the explosives, causing more than 100 blasts on the second night of the fire. Mayor Martial Zaninetti described the noise as the sound of war and noted that one projectile even passed through a house. The discovered weapons included French and German anti tank and mortar shells.

Demining and bomb disposal operations are currently underway to ensure the safety of the area. While most residents have been allowed to return to their homes, the mayor stated that certain areas, including a campsite, the village of La Jenny, and access to the ocean, remain off limits. The wildfire destroyed more than 180 houses and burnt 42,000 hectares in the south west, making it one of the largest forest fires in France since World War II.

French Prime Minister Sebastien Le Cornu thanked firefighters for their efforts during what he called an unprecedented crisis. The fires in the Gironde region have been brought under control after burning for about 10 days. These events occurred amid broader wildfires across Europe, primarily in Spain and France, which led to the evacuation of more than 330,000 people.