This Saturday, January 18, 2025, the 31 personnel present on the Amsterdam Island district of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF) when the fire started were transferred to the Marion Dufresne. They had been evacuated by the Sapmer L’austral bunker (Photo TAAF/Rémi Chazot)
“The operation, lasting an hour and a half, took place in difficult sea and weather conditions but in complete safety,” indicates the TAAF. No injuries were reported.
“The Austral can now resume its lobster fishing activities and the Marion Dufresne will resume its Ifremen oceanographic campaign during the day,” adds management.
– Fire on Amsterdam Island –
Since Wednesday January 15, 2025, Amsterdam Island, district of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF) has been affected by a fire.
The fire, which quickly spread to vegetation, directly threatening the Martin-de-Viviès base, led to the evacuation of personnel.
The fire reached the perimeter of the base during the day Thursday, damaging several critical infrastructure.
-“The French Southern and Antarctic Lands teams, in collaboration with their partners, remain fully mobilized to monitor the evolution of the fire and assess the impacts on Amsterdam Island.”
– Origins of the fire unknown –
A study is underway with the armed forces of the southern Indian Ocean zone to consider “a mission to the area in the coming weeks with an SDIS detachment in order to assess the situation both on base and in the environment”, specifies the prefect.
No information is available at this stage regarding the origin of the fire.
The senior prefect administrator of the TAAF “would like to salute the commitment and professionalism of the crews of the Austral and Marion Dufresne who ensured the transfer of personnel and the valuable support provided by all the actors mobilized in the management of this crisis,” she said.
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French Southern and Antarctic Lands, TAAF, Amsterdam Island, Fire
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