Two bodies were found on Monday in the rubble following an explosion that collapsed a building in the southern French city of Marseille, bringing the confirmed death toll to four as rescuers continue searching for four more people who are unaccounted-for. Two other bodies had previously been found overnight.
The judicial authority will proceed to identify the victims, firefighters said in a statement. Minister for Cities and Housing Olivier Klein told reporters that at least four people have died, after he met with rescuers on site. “The hope to find survivors is still there,” Minister for Cities and Housing Olivier Klein told reporters.“It is very meticulous work done by firefighters,” he added, noting the risk for adjacent buildings to collapse.
More than 100 firefighters were mobilised for the searches. Marseille mayor Benoit Payan tweeted on Monday that “the pain and sorrow are great.”
He expressed his thoughts for the families of the victims and “those who are suffering.” “Rescue and search operations are continuing, without respite,” he said.