Building collapse in Marseille leaves six people dead

Rescuers have found two more bodies in the rubble of a building that collapsed in an explosion in the southern French port city of Marseille on Sunday, bringing the total death toll to six. The French Housing Authority said 179 people had been evacuated from the site, and rescue efforts are being complicated by a fire burning within the rubble. A fifth and sixth body had been found in the ruins on Monday, but both bodies are still under the rubble and have not yet been recovered. Two people remain missing, according to BFMTV. Local residents described hearing an explosion, with lots of dust and a smell of gas in the air.

The most important details in this text are that an avalanche of people panicked in the street and an unnamed witness saw an avalanche of people panicking in the street. Approximately 30 of the surrounding buildings have also been evacuated. Prosecutor of Marseille Dominique Laurens said it was impossible to determine the cause of the explosion as the situation has not yet been stabilized. French President Emmanuel Macron said his thoughts were with those impacted and an investigation is continuing with significant resources deployed. A fund of 100,000 euros ($110,000) has been provided to help the victims of the blast, with the money coming from regional authorities. The Marseille prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into “unintentional injuries.” In 2018, CNN reported on the collapse of several buildings in the city’s Noailles district, which killed at least four people.