A four-story apartment building in the rue de Tivoli in Marseille’s 5th district collapsed in the early hours of Sunday, April 9, injuring several people and potentially leaving more casualties. The cause of the collapse is being investigated, with initial reports suggesting a gas explosion may have preceded the building’s collapse. The prefect of the Bouches-du-Rhône region, Christophe Mirmand, mentioned the trace of a gas explosion but emphasized caution in determining the cause at this stage. A wide security perimeter has been established to allow emergency services to intervene and prevent further accidents.
As of mid-morning, rescue operations were still ongoing, with five people injured and a total of 33 people receiving medical attention. No resident of the collapsed building has come forward, raising concerns about the fate of the occupants. A hotline number and a reception center have been set up to help families who are searching for their loved ones.
The firefighters’ efforts have been complicated by an ongoing fire underneath the debris, which has persisted at high temperatures for several hours. The Mayor of Marseille, Benoît Payan, confirmed the difficulty of the situation, stating that trained rescue dogs are unable to detect survivors due to the extreme heat and fire.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his deep emotion on Twitter, saying that he is thinking of those affected and their loved ones, and thanking the firefighters and rescuers for their mobilization. Political figures have also expressed their support for the victims.