Gironde Wildfires Spark Wave of Burglaries in Evacuated Zones

French authorities have opened 22 criminal proceedings for breaking and entering and theft in evacuated zones of the Gironde department, according to BFM. These crimes occurred while residents were forced to flee their homes during the region’s wildfire crisis, targeting properties left vacant during emergency evacuations.

The wave of thefts includes the looting of high-value assets and the exploitation of displaced residents. Le Figaro reports that the crimes range from the theft of prestigious “grand crus” wines to home burglaries and the activities of an individual posing as a psychologist to deceive victims.

Law enforcement has already made arrests in connection with the spree. According to lejdd.fr, a Tunisian national was apprehended while carrying a bag containing stolen objects within an evacuated zone.

Theft and Racketeering of Fire Victims

Fabien Vanhemelryck described the situation as a “France of shame,” stating that victims who had already lost everything were being targeted by racketeers, according to CNews.

Yahoo Actualités reports that individuals described as “devoid of all morality” have taken advantage of the wildfire crisis to target those most vulnerable. The reports indicate that the chaos of the evacuations provided cover for these perpetrators to enter homes and businesses without detection.

Range of Criminal Activity in Gironde

The 22 open procedures reflect a variety of criminal tactics used during the disaster. While many cases involve simple breaking and entering, other reports highlight more specialized thefts. Le Figaro specifically noted the targeting of luxury wine cellars, where rare vintages were stolen from estates.

Beyond physical theft, the reports describe fraudulent activity. This includes the case of an individual pretending to be a mental health professional to exploit the psychological distress of the fire victims, as detailed by Le Figaro.

The arrest of a suspect with a bag of stolen goods, as reported by lejdd.fr, suggests that some perpetrators were operating in the immediate vicinity of the evacuated perimeters, moving stolen property out of the restricted zones.