An apartment building collapsed in Marseille after the explosion: eight people are still missing, presumably under the rubble

The four-storey building collapsed at around 12:40 a.m. Saturday after an explosion believed to be caused by a gas leak. Initially, there were four people who were “definitely still in the building”, but the French court had an update on Sunday evening about eight residents who did not self-report and therefore may be under the rubble. It’s about two people in their 30s – a married couple – and six seniors. At least five people were slightly injured in the blast and collapse, and a sixth person was hospitalized with symptoms of shock.

The intervention of the emergency services continued Sunday night. A fire also broke out among the rubble, complicating the rescue operation. After the explosion, 32 buildings in the wide area of ​​the collapsed residential building were evacuated, and 179 people had to leave their homes.

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Twitter that he was saddened by the disaster. “I think of the people affected and their loved ones,” she says. The head of state also thanked the emergency services for their efforts.