Two vessels burn and sink in Marseille’s Vieux-Port
150 marine firefighters tackle a blaze on the historic quayside
Two boats caught fire and sank in Marseille's Vieux-Port on Sunday morning, according to the city's mayor, Benoit Payan. The fire broke out near the Hotel de Ville side of the old harbour, close to a stage that had been installed on the quay.
The response was substantial: 150 marins-pompiers were mobilised with 37 fire and rescue vehicles. Emergency services dealt with 14 people, six of whom suffered minor burns and were taken for treatment. Those affected included people who had been aboard the vessels, two police officers and a member of port security.
The two boats, measuring 20 metres and 12 metres, both sank once the fire was brought under control. Access to the Quai du Port was closed during the operation, which was handled by the Bataillon de marins-pompiers de Marseille, a French Navy unit.
No cause has been officially announced. The Vieux-Port sits at the heart of Marseille, within the wider Grand Port Maritime de Marseille-Fos complex, making even a small-craft fire a high-visibility incident on a busy summer weekend.
