Diver killed as cliff collapses near Biarritz lighthouse in French resort town

25 Jun 2026 • 11:25 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Diver killed as cliff collapses near Biarritz lighthouse in French resort town

A fatal cliff collapse in Biarritz, a popular French resort town, has left one diver dead and another missing.

The incident occurred on Wednesday night at approximately 8:20 p.m. Three divers were at the base of the cliff near the lighthouse when a large section of coastline gave way.

One diver managed to escape uninjured and was assisted by emergency teams.

Emergency services, including specialised divers, immediately launched a search operation for the two other divers. They later recovered the body of a female diver, with efforts to locate the second missing person resuming on Thursday.

Rescue workers on boats search for a missing person after the cliff collapse (AP Photo/Yohan Bonnet)

Officials have imposed a 300-metre exclusion zone around the affected cliff, prohibiting public access, swimming and boating due to the risk of further collapse.

The tragedy casts a shadow over Biarritz, a renowned tourist destination celebrated for its rugged coastline, beaches, and status as a premier European surfing spot.

An association that takes care of the cliff said there were previous collapses in 2008 and 2018.

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