The violent wind blowing across the Pyrénées-Orientales this Sunday, December 22 is pushing Christmas market organizers to take preventive measures.
Around 5 p.m., this Sunday, December 22, 2024, the Barcarès Christmas Village closed to the public due to strong gusts of wind recorded in the department.
It had to close its doors to the public due to the tramontane which blows in gusts up to more than 80 km/h making visiting the village dangerous.
Local authorities, in consultation with the organizers, took the decision to close the event to ensure the safety of visitors. The gendarmerie confirms having evacuated 4,000 people.
“It’s complicatedexplains Michel Sitja, general director of Barcarès services. We don't want to take any risks.” Gusts of wind caused damage to some stands and lighting.
To Canet-en-Roussillon“the activities planned on Saint-Jacques Square have been canceled”announced Stéphane Loda at the start of the evening. “For the moment, because they are better protected from the wind, the chalets remain open with precautions to prevent any flight.explained the mayor. But, around 8:30 p.m., the market was closed.
The mayor of Soler, Armelle Revel-Fourcade, also announced this Sunday evening that the Christmas market in her town was also closed for the evening.
In Torreilles, the municipality has also decided to close its Christmas market this Sunday evening. For the moment, the other Christmas markets in the department seem to be maintained.
