A massive explosion rocked a residential building in the French port city of Marseille on Monday, leaving at least eight people missing and feared trapped under the debris. The blast occurred in the Noailles district, a densely populated area in the heart of Marseille, and was so powerful that it shattered windows, caused balcony railings to collapse, and left the building on the verge of collapse. Rescue teams and emergency services rushed to the site and worked throughout the night to locate the missing people, but efforts have been hampered by the precarious state of the building. As residents and the authorities scramble to grasp the scale of the tragedy, questions are being raised about the safety of buildings in the city’s historically working-class and immigrant neighborhoods.
Eight people have been reported missing following a building explosion in Marseille near the city’s port area. The five-story building collapsed, and a search and rescue operation is currently underway. More than 100 firefighters have been working for over 17 hours to extinguish flames deep within the rubble. However, the situation has not stabilized yet, says Marseille prosecutor Dominique Laurens. The mayor of Marseille, Benoit Payan, said that two other buildings with shared walls with the collapsed building were partially brought down before one of them caved in complicating the search and rescue operation.
Officials were earlier under the impression that between four and ten people might have been trapped within the building. However, more details are yet to be confirmed by the police. Marseille Prosecutor Dominique Laurens has said that the police are yet to confirm the apparent disappearance of a ninth person from a building next door.
Five people were reported to have minor injuries resulting from the collapse that occurred before 1 am on Sunday. Drones and probes have been used to examine the scene for signs of life, and some 30 buildings have been evacuated in the area. Firefighters are working, with the help of urban rescue experts. Their primary aim is to keep themselves safe while preventing further harm to the people potentially trapped under the rubble. The rescue operation will also not compromise vulnerable buildings nearby, which have already partially collapsed.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has stated that the fire was burning a few meters under the mounds of debris. Both water and foam represent a danger to victims’ survival, added the minister. The start of the probe was limited by the heat of the blaze, and one of the theories being explored is that the building was destroyed in a gas explosion. Nevertheless, this is yet to be confirmed.
The building that collapsed is situated on a narrow street half a mile from Marseille’s old port. This adds an array of difficulties for the fire brigade and rescue workers. The prosecutor has stated that the building and those next door “are not at all substandard buildings.” French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne have both shown their solidarity with the affected people via Twitter and have given their thanks to the firefighters for their commendable and hard work.
The situation highlights the importance of proper building maintenance and safety protocols. Although the authorities have stated that the buildings in the area were not substandard, it is crucial that property owners take care of their buildings and ensure that they are adequately maintained to prevent disasters like this. The speedy and efficient work of the rescue teams and firefighters has been commendable, and their efforts and hard work will continue until the situation stabilizes.
