Marseille building collapse: Five people found dead in rubble after explosion

Firefighters work after building collapsed early Sunday, April 9, 2023 in Marseille, southern France. A residential building in France's port city of Marseille collapsed in a loud explosion early Sunday followed by a fire deep within the rubble that hindered rescue efforts. (AP Photo)
Firefighters search through the rubble for survivors. Credit: AP

Five people have died following an explosion which caused a building to collapse in Marseille, in the south of France.

French authorities said three bodies were found in the rubble on Monday, while another two had been uncovered the previous night. Rescuers are continuing their search for three other people who are still unaccounted for.

"The hope to find survivors is still there," French Minister for Cities and Housing Olivier Klein told reporters.

"It is very meticulous work done by firefighters," he added, noting the risk for adjacent buildings to collapse. The victims are now being formally identified.

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More than 100 firefighters descended on the destroyed five-story residential building, which exploded at 1am on Sunday.

Marseille Mayor Benoit Payan tweeted on Monday that "the pain and sorrow are great". He expressed his thoughts for the families of the victims and "those who are suffering".

"Rescue and search operations are continuing, without respite," he said.

Persistent flames and fears the building would crumble again prevented rescuers from being able to search for victims more than 15 hours after the blast.

"We cannot intervene in a very classic way," said French Minister of the Interior Gerald Darmanin during a visit to the site - about 11 hours after the collapse.

Firefighters have been held back for several hours due to a blaze deep in the wreckage. Credit: AP

He said the fire was burning a few meters under the mounds of debris, adding that both water and foam could be a danger to victims' chances of survival.

The burning debris was too hot for search dogs in the firefighters' canine team to work until Sunday afternoon, while thick smoke continued to cause issues.

An investigation has been launched into the cause of the explosion as well as for involuntary injury and initially sidestepping possible criminal intentions. While the cause of the explosion is not yet known, authorities suspect a gas leak is likely.

The collapse occurred in an old quarter in the centre of Marseille, France's second-largest city, less than half a mile from its iconic old port.

In 2018, two buildings in the center of the city collapsed, killing eight people. Mr Darmanin said on that occassion both buildings were poorly maintained.

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