In Marseille, a residential building collapse leaves several injured and a recovery operation ongoing
In the heart of Marseille, a residential building collapsed, injuring at least five people and prompting urgent responses from local authorities. The figure of five hospitalized individuals was confirmed by the city’s mayor, Benoit Payan, who described the situation as one that demanded immediate medical attention and rapid coordination among emergency teams. The incident drew swift attention from residents and officials alike as responders assessed the immediate dangers and began to organize the next steps for rescue and support.
Officials said the initial phase of search and rescue could not commence right away due to a fire that continued to burn within the wreckage. Firefighters and emergency crews faced the twin challenges of fighting the blaze and stabilizing the site to prevent further harm. Mayor Payan underscored the gravity of the moment, noting that the fire hampered access for teams preparing to search for potential victims amid shifting debris and unstable structures.
As the response effort continued, Payan urged the public and press to prepare for the possibility of additional casualties. His remarks reflected the uncertainty that often accompanies such disasters, where the full scope can evolve as conditions on the ground change and rescue operations advance. The mayor emphasized the need for cautious, methodical work to protect both responders and those still at risk nearby.
Nearby streets were cordoned off to create a secure zone for responders and to limit any interference from bystanders. Rescuers worked through the night, methodically surveying the area, coordinating equipment, and ensuring that medical teams could access those in need. In the aftermath, observers noted that dust hung in the air across several adjacent streets, a reminder of the scale of the collapse and the ongoing effort to clear debris and search for signs of life or additional victims.
Earlier in the region, a separate incident in Istanbul also drew attention after a five-story building began collapsing in the morning. The structure in Istanbul fell progressively, and by mid-afternoon local time it had completely collapsed. This parallel event underscored the dangers posed by aging urban housing stock and the importance of rapid, coordinated emergency response across cities facing similar risks. In Marseille, the focus remained on protecting residents, aiding those affected, and ensuring that any structural weaknesses in the surrounding buildings were identified and managed as quickly as possible.