More than 2,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in western Germany after a wildfire spread towards a village near the Belgian border, local authorities said.
Residents of Gey were ordered to leave their homes at around 4 a.m. and move to an emergency assistance centre established at a primary school in a nearby village. Authorities advised evacuees to take only essential belongings, identification documents and necessary medication.
The fire had spread to within about 300 metres of the village, according to local officials, who warned that the situation remained critical despite the evacuation being completed.
Several fires in the area remained out of control, with one blaze spreading overnight towards a former military ammunition depot near Dueren.
The presence of unexploded Second World War ammunition in parts of the surrounding forest has complicated firefighting efforts. Firefighters reported hearing occasional explosions as the flames moved through the area.
Around 300 hectares of land were burning, while two German army tanks were deployed to help clear access routes through difficult terrain and allow firefighters to reach the affected areas.
Germany has been experiencing increasingly dry conditions, raising the risk of wildfires across large parts of the country. Authorities have urged residents in affected areas to remain vigilant and follow evacuation instructions as firefighters continue efforts to contain the blaze.
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