Diver killed and another missing after cliffs collapse caused massive wave
The cliff collapsed suddenly into the sea near Miramar lighthouse in Biarritz (Picture: Préfet des Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
At least one diver has died after a cliff edge collapsed in a landslide and smashed onto a popular beach in southwest France.
Search is ongoing for a missing diver who was at the foot of the cliff near Miramar beach in Biarritz with two others when it collapsed.
Two of the divers were buried under several tonnes of rocks and falling debris when the landslide struck at about 8.20pm yesterday during a record heatwave tormenting France and western Europe.
The cliff, measuring around 2,000 cubic tonnes, suddenly fell into the Atlantic, leaving the divers only seconds to react.
Rescue divers continue to search the sea in front of Miramar beach (Picture: AFP/Getty)
One of the divers escaped unhurt, while the body of a woman was found hours later.
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One person is still missing and feared dead as search and rescue teams continue to scoure the sea.
Beachgoer Quentin Alberola told France Info: ‘There was a thunderous sound, like an explosion, you could say.
The incident happened on the cliffs flanking Miramar beach in Biarritz, which is part of the Grande Plage area connecting to the city’s famous main beach (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)
‘Everything collapsed, and a wave crashed onto the beach.’
The beach has been cordoned off and closed to the public while the safety of the remaining cliffs is assessed.
An eyewitness said the third diver emerged from the water in a state of shock, but otherwise unscathed.
Eyewitnesses said the noise from the landslide was ‘deafening’ (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)
Vincent Pariset, a receptionist who was in the water on a paddleboard with his daughter, said the noise from the collapse was ‘deafening.’
He told news agency AFP: ‘We were quite scared because we saw a whole section of the cliff collapse under the lighthouse, and it created a really impressive spray of water.’
He said there were no warning signs before the collapse.
The cliff surrounds the Phare de Biarritz, an iconic lighthouse built in 1834 during the city’s heyday as a major summer resort frequented by European royalty.
Pyrénées-Atlantiques department officials said: ‘Avoid the affected area, which is strictly off-limits until further notice.
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