Mayor Benoit Payan said the building collapse in the La Plaine district of central Marseille occurred early Sunday morning (local time), damaging parts of two surrounding buildings.
Accident scene. Photo: AFP
"There is currently a fire in the rubble of the building. This fire prevents us from sending sniffer dogs and teams to search for victims who may be under the rubble," he added.
Payan also said two people were injured among 11 people evacuated from two neighboring buildings damaged by the collapse. Streets around the building were blocked off and covered in dust, with many emergency workers on the scene.
Regional governor Christophe Mirmand told AFP there were "strong suspicions" that an explosion caused the collapse, possibly caused by a gas leak. "But we have to be very cautious about the causes at this stage," he said.
An investigation has been launched into the cause of the collapse. The chief of the marine fire service said there were hundreds of firefighters on site. “The priority is to put out the fire and clear the wreckage to find anyone who may be below,” he said.
Mirmand said other buildings on the street had been evacuated as a safety measure, with residents taking shelter in a school. Gilles, who lives on a street near the collapsed building, told AFP the sound of the collapse was "very loud".
Mai Anh (according to AFP)
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