Fire in southern France reveals hundreds of World War II munitions
Explosions were heard during the blaze that destroyed over 180 homes
On August 4, 2026, fires that struck southern France exposed a depot of approximately 400 World War II projectiles and munitions in the village of Le Porge, according to local authorities.
Discovery of historic munitions
The findings include mortar and anti-tank projectiles of French and German origin, which were buried in municipal soil without the population being aware of their existence.
Explosions during the fire
During the second night of burning, more than 100 explosions were heard, a sound that Mayor Martial Zaninetti compared to the "sound of war". Initially, the cracks were attributed to gas cylinders, but the local fire chief suspected that explosives from the World War era had detonated because of the heat.
Mine-clearing operations and residents' return
The de-mining teams allowed most residents to return to their homes, although certain areas remain off-limits. The mayor said that some depots exploded, hitting "to the right, to the left" and that "even one of them went through a house". In an Instagram post, he emphasized that access to the ocean, the campground and the village of La Jenny remains prohibited.
Impact of the fire in Gironde
The fire, which lasted about ten days, devastated roughly 42,000 hectares in the Gironde region, becoming one of the largest forest fires since World War II. More than 180 residences were consumed by the flames, and footage showed families sifting through the wreckage of their homes.
National government reaction
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu thanked the firefighters, stating that France remained steadfast in the face of an unprecedented crisis. He highlighted that the fight against the flames entered a "new phase" in Gironde, with evacuees gradually returning to their homes.
With information from BBC News.
Source: BBC News