In Marseille, a residential building collapsed in the early afternoon, leaving five people seriously injured and eight residents unaccounted for. Emergency services are still operating as prosecutors describe the situation as unstable and not yet under control.
Marseille prosecutor Dominique Laurens stated that eight calls had gone unanswered and is leading the criminal investigation into what is currently treated as an unintentional injury case. Authorities are pursuing all lines of inquiry as rescuers work to account for those missing and to secure the area.
The collapse occurred around 12:40 pm and impacted neighboring structures as well. In addition to the eight residents missing from the affected building, authorities are evaluating the possibility of a ninth missing person from a neighboring property that partially collapsed, though verification is still pending.
The leading hypothesis is that the disaster was caused by a gas leak that led to an explosion. Forensic teams have not yet entered the site due to persistent safety risks as the area remains unstable, according to the prosecutor.
Marseille mayor Benoît Payan emphasized the need for readiness in responding to those affected. He cautioned that the rescue operation could be lengthy and challenging given the dangerous conditions at the site.
Earlier on Sunday, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin traveled to the region to oversee ongoing rescue efforts. Statements from national leaders, including Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne and President Emmanuel Macron, offered support to the victims. In a post on social media, President Macron expressed sympathy for Marseille and thanked the firefighters and emergency responders for their hard work as searches continued with key tools deployed.
Initial reports indicated that 33 residents were initially affected by the landslide, with six transported to local hospitals for treatment. An elderly person was hospitalized after suffering shock, with the overall condition of others not yet determined in the chaos of the collapse. Authorities subsequently ordered the evacuation of up to 32 nearby properties for safety reasons, and 163 residents left the area under relocation protocols that were put in place as a precaution.
Rescue operations faced immediate obstacles, including a fire in the rubble that complicated efforts from the outset. Officials warned that the work could span several hours as teams from various agencies coordinate to search for survivors and secure the site. Rescue dogs were later deployed to aid in the search among the wreckage, appearing amid the debris in the afternoon to assist in locating potential survivors.
The Marseille incident has intensified local concern about housing safety. The city previously witnessed the collapse of two older buildings in 2018, an event that contributed to a tragic toll and ongoing concerns about structural integrity. The recent collapse has intensified the housing crisis, prompting authorities to relocate roughly 4,000 residents from affected areas to safer accommodations while investigations continue and remediation plans are considered.
Authorities clarified that the building involved in the collapse was not deemed to be in poor condition at the time of the incident, though investigators are examining all factors that could have contributed to the disaster. Ongoing assessments aim to determine the exact sequence of events leading to the collapse and to identify any preventive measures that could reduce the risk of similar incidents in the future. Current updates remain fluid as rescue teams persevere through the dangerous conditions and work to reunite families with loved ones who may be trapped beneath the rubble. In closing, officials reiterated their commitment to transparency and to keeping the public informed as the situation evolves. The information reflects contributions from the Marseille prosecutor’s office and statements from local and national authorities, cited for context to support ongoing reporting.