2023 Marseille building collapse

On 8 April 2023, a building collapsed in Marseille, a city in southern France, killing eight people.[1][2] In the event, two buildings exploded and fell, while a third partially collapsed and caught fire, complicating rescue operations. Although the origin of the explosion is yet uncertain, a gas leak may have played a role. The fallen buildings were not known to have any structural issues, according to the mayor of Marseille.[3][4][5]

Marseille building collapse
Date8 April 2023
Time12:40 am (CEST, UTC+2)
Location15 Rue de Tivoli, Marseille, France
TypeBuilding collapse
CauseExplosion (suspected gas leak)
Deaths8
Non-fatal injuries5
Displaced~200

The incident

An explosion occurred at approximately 1:40 AM local time, leading to the destruction of a four-story building in a Mediterranean port city.[6] The force of the explosion was significant enough to cause nearby buildings to partially crumble.[7] Rescue efforts faced difficulties due to an ongoing fire beneath the debris.[6]

Casualties

After approximately 24 hours following the explosion, two bodies were discovered amidst the wreckage.[6] The next day, three additional bodies were found.[8] Initially, at least six individuals were reported as missing right after the incident. Additionally, five individuals from nearby buildings suffered minor injuries.[6]

Rescue Operations

Rescue personnel, including firefighters and urban search and rescue specialists, dedicated themselves tirelessly throughout the night and into the subsequent day to locate survivors. Nonetheless, their endeavors were made more challenging by a fire smoldering deep within the debris.[7]

Investigation

The reason behind the explosion is currently under investigation, with one potential factor being a gas leak.[6] The commencement of the inquiry was hindered by the intense heat generated by the fire.[7]

Reactions

The French president Emmanuel Macron responded to the incident by sharing his views, and support centers were provided for individuals who were harmed.[9]

Aftermath

As a reaction to the incident, roughly 200 individuals were evacuated from buildings in close proximity to the explosion site.[7] The city's mayor, Benoit Payan, conveyed deep sadness and sympathy regarding the event, and he reassured the public that all municipal services were fully dedicated to ongoing search and rescue operations.[6]

See also

References
  1. "Marseille building collapse: Survivors search continues". BBC News. 10 April 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  2. "Marseille building collapse: Death toll rises to eight as last missing residents found". France 24 (English). 12 April 2023. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  3. "Marseille blast: Two dead and six missing after explosion destroys buildings". The Guardian. 10 April 2023.
  4. "Eight missing after buildings collapse in France's Marseille". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  5. "2 bodies found as fire burns in collapsed Marseille building". CNN. 9 April 2023.
  6. "Marseille blast: two dead and six missing after explosion destroys buildings". The Guardian. April 10, 2023.
  7. "Two bodies found from rubble after buildings collapse in Marseille". ABC News. April 9, 2023 – via www.abc.net.au.
  8. https://www.itv.com/news/2023-04-10/two-people-dead-after-marseille-building-explosion
  9. "Eight people feared under the rubble after buildings collapse in Marseille". Reuters. 9 April 2023.
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