France – A tragedy has occurred near the Biarritz lighthouse, in southwestern France, where the collapse of a rocky slope on three divers has left one dead and another missing.
A large mass of rock collapsed into the sea, trapping three people at the foot of the cliff. Rescue teams pulled the body of a woman from the water, while another diver managed to escape without physical injuries, but in a state of shock.
According to local authorities, a 34-year-old man remains missing. The mayor of Biarritz announced that he is the partner of the woman who lost her life.
🔴 Un pan de falaise s'est effondré à Biarritz. Une plongeuse est morte ensevelie et un homme de 34 ans est porté disparu. # JT20h pic.twitter.com/PmJo0iY9Da
— Le20h-France Télévisions (@le20hfrancetele) June 25, 2026
The Pyrenees-Atlantiques prefecture announced that about 2 square meters of slope collapsed at around 20:20 p.m. near the Biarritz lighthouse. At the time, Miramar beach was packed with vacationers, as temperatures in the area had exceeded 40 degrees Celsius.
Witnesses said they heard a loud noise before seeing a large chunk of rock break off and fall into the water.
"We often sat there to watch the sunset and we never thought the cliff could collapse," a 32-year-old woman told AFP.
The search operation to find the 34-year-old continues, while authorities have isolated the area for security reasons.
