Two bodies found after Marseille building destroyed in explosion

International

YEREVAN, APRIL 10, ARTSAKHPRESS. Two bodies have been found after an explosion flattened a four-storey apartment building in the southern French city of Marseille. 

Six people remained unaccounted for and rescue efforts were ongoing, the BBC reported citing local authorities.

The blast occurred in the La Plaine neighbourhood at 00:49 local time on Sunday (23:49 BST on Saturday).

The cause remains unclear, but investigators are looking into the possibility of a gas leak.

Five people from neighbouring buildings sustained minor injuries in the explosion and around 200 people had to be evacuated from their homes. Two nearby blocks partially collapsed a few hours later without causing any additional injuries.

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Twitter that he was “thinking of those affected and their loved ones” and thanked the emergency workers for their efforts.

Mayor of Marseille Benoît Payan said rescuers remained “determined” to find people alive. “Hope must hold us,” he said.

Deputy Mayor Yannick Ohanessian told reporters at the scene that “several witnesses have reached us this morning to say there was a suspicious smell of gas”.


ARTSAKHPRESS
Add a comment