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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Building collapses in French city | Building collapses in French city |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| People were thought to be trapped under the rubble while rescue efforts were hampered by fire, the mayor of Marseilles stated | People were thought to be trapped under the rubble while rescue efforts were hampered by fire, the mayor of Marseilles stated |
| At least five people were injured after a four-story residential building collapsed and caused a major fire in the French port city of Marseilles, Mayor Benoit Payan has said. Locals told the media that they heard a “huge explosion” in the area overnight. | At least five people were injured after a four-story residential building collapsed and caused a major fire in the French port city of Marseilles, Mayor Benoit Payan has said. Locals told the media that they heard a “huge explosion” in the area overnight. |
| The building in the central district, known for its bars and restaurants, collapsed around 12:40am local time on Sunday, according to the mayor. | The building in the central district, known for its bars and restaurants, collapsed around 12:40am local time on Sunday, according to the mayor. |
| Five people sustained injuries in two neighboring properties, which were also damaged, Payan said. Residents have been evacuated from a number of houses in the vicinity, he added. | Five people sustained injuries in two neighboring properties, which were also damaged, Payan said. Residents have been evacuated from a number of houses in the vicinity, he added. |
| “We have to be prepared to have victims in this terrible tragedy,” the mayor said, adding that people could be inside the collapsed building. | |
| French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, who arrived in Marseilles on Sunday morning, said “four to a dozen people” could be trapped under debris. The fire was burning several meters under the rubble, which made it increasingly hard for the emergency services to extinguish it. | |
| More than 100 firefighters were deployed to tackle the blaze, according to BFMTV. | More than 100 firefighters were deployed to tackle the blaze, according to BFMTV. |
| “We’re trying to speed up the [operation] because time is of the essence,” but search dogs can’t work in such heat, the commander of the Marseille marine firefighters Lionel Mathieu said. | “We’re trying to speed up the [operation] because time is of the essence,” but search dogs can’t work in such heat, the commander of the Marseille marine firefighters Lionel Mathieu said. |
| An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the collapse. Regional prefect Christophe Mirmand told AFP there were “strong suspicions” that the incident had been the result of a gas leak. | An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the collapse. Regional prefect Christophe Mirmand told AFP there were “strong suspicions” that the incident had been the result of a gas leak. |
| The affected building was in good condition and “there was no danger code” for it, he noted. | The affected building was in good condition and “there was no danger code” for it, he noted. |
| One local resident told the media that he had heard “a huge explosion,” while another added that “everything shook” when the building collapsed. | One local resident told the media that he had heard “a huge explosion,” while another added that “everything shook” when the building collapsed. |
| Some witnesses claimed they even “smelled” gas shortly before the explosion, Le point magazine reports. | |
| Another major building collapsed in Marseilles in 2018, when two dilapidated homes in the working-class district of Noailles were destroyed, killing eight people. | Another major building collapsed in Marseilles in 2018, when two dilapidated homes in the working-class district of Noailles were destroyed, killing eight people. |