France arrests 184 suspected arsonists since summer start as wildfires rage amid new heatwave

Published Jul 29, 01:07 PM UTC

French authorities have arrested 184 people since the beginning of summer on suspicion of arson, as wildfires continue to burn across the country and in neighboring Spain. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced the latest arrest and vowed no leniency for arsonists. Emergency services near Bordeaux are battling rekindling fires amid a new heatwave with temperatures up to 40°C, which threatens to worsen conditions. On Tuesday, 14 new fire outbreaks occurred in areas previously burned. The fire is stabilized but not under control. 110 firefighters have been injured, and over 750 firefighters, 23 water-bombing aircraft, and 1,400 police remain deployed. Residents of three evacuated villages are allowed to return but must remain on alert for possible re-evacuation. The fires have destroyed tens of thousands of hectares of forest and caused significant damage to homes and wildlife.

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