Overview
- The cliff detached on Wednesday evening, June 24, while three local divers were at the base; reports say about 2,000 but outlets disagree on whether that figure refers to square metres or cubic metres of rock.
- Rescuers recovered the body of a 33‑year‑old woman and have been unable to find a 34‑year‑old man who remains missing despite resumed daytime searches.
- A large multi‑agency response deployed firefighters, specialised divers, sea rescuers and a gendarmerie helicopter, with night operations suspended for safety and underwater drones and sonar used at first light.
- Biarritz officials closed a 300‑metre exclusion zone around the lighthouse and the mayor issued an immediate ban on access, bathing and navigation in the area.
- Authorities say it is too early to name a cause and have requested geological expertise because the cap Saint‑Martin sector has a record of past rockfalls and remaining unstable blocks limit rescue work and public access.