France-Wildfires/Evacuees
France-Wildfires/Evacuees
Dateline : July 27, 2026
Location : France
Duration : 2'06
Bordeaux, France - July 27, 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Various of displaced people in convention center-turned shelter
2. SOUNDBITE (French) Louise Rigaud, evacuee (starting with shot 1):
"We were really stressed when we got the evacuation message. It was the first time this had ever happened to us."
3. SOUNDBITE (French) Dahlia Rigaud, evacuee:
"It's especially hard for my mother, because she's already ill. The stress has been overwhelming for her."
4. Various of displaced people talking, resting in shelter
5. SOUNDBITE (French) Benedict Montessuy, evacuee (ending with shot 6):
"Beyond the physical impact, there's also a psychological one. We're especially concerned about the children for this is something they've never experienced before. Being evacuated, losing so much, not knowing what comes next, we're trying to reassure them as much as we can."
6. Various of displaced people, their belongings in shelter
7. SOUNDBITE (French) Cyrielle Montessuy, young evacuee:
"I really want to go home soon, because I'm starting to miss my bed, my bathroom, my cuddly toys, and my family."
8. Various of displaced people, their belongings in shelter
A massive forest fire in southwest France's Gironde has raged for nearly a week, forcing some 220,000 residents to evacuate, with many families at shelters voicing growing anxiety and desperation to return home.
At the convention center in northern Bordeaux, the largest evacuation site, four exhibition halls have been opened since the fire broke out on July 22. At its peak, over 6,000 people spent the night there. Many still recall the panic when the evacuation order arrived.
"We were really stressed when we got the evacuation message. It was the first time this had ever happened to us," said Louise Rigaud, a young evacuee.
"It's especially hard for my mother, because she's already ill. The stress has been overwhelming for her," said Dahlia Rigaud.
The Rigaud family initially thought they would only stay for a day or two, but the fire raged on. Nearly a week later, they still had no clear answer on when they could go home.
Facing similar uncertainty, the Montessuy family from the northwestern suburbs of Bordeaux said they were particularly worried about the psychological toll on their children.
"Beyond the physical impact, there's also a psychological one. We're especially concerned about the children for this is something they've never experienced before. Being evacuated, losing so much, not knowing what comes next, we're trying to reassure them as much as we can," said Benedict Montessuy.
On Monday, the Gironde authorities reiterated that no one would be allowed to return until the fire was brought under control. The French government and the Bordeaux metropolitan area have begun arranging temporary housing, with more than 13,000 aid applications already filed. But for those in shelters, a temporary bed is no substitute for home.
"I really want to go home soon. I miss my bed, my bathroom, my cuddly toys, and my family," said young Cyrielle Montessuy.
As of Monday afternoon, the fire remained uncontrolled. For the displaced residents, the hardest part was not a temporary shelter, but the uncertainty, not knowing when they could return, nor what would be left of their homes.
ID : 8491585
Published : 2026-07-28 12:31
Last Modified : 2026-07-28 20:42:23
Source : China Central Television (CCTV)
Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland
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