Two people died and at least six more remain missing after the building they lived in exploded and collapsed near the port of Marseille, French officials said. More than 100 firefighters worked to extinguish flames deep within the rubble of the five-storey building, but more than 17 hours later the situation was not yet stabilised, Marseille prosecutor Dominique Laurens told reporters.
Earlier in the day, officials had thought that between four and 10 people may have been trapped in the rubble of 17 Rue de Tivoli. Ms Laurens said police had yet to confirm the apparent disappearance of a ninth person who lived in a building next door. Two died in the collapse, and five more suffered minor injuries in the incident, which occurred shortly before 1am on Sunday.
Marseille mayor Benoit Payan said two buildings that share walls with the one that collapsed were partially brought down before one later caved in, another complication in the search and rescue operation. The buildings were among evacuated structures.
