Dozens of People injured in Paris Due to Gas Explosion

Photo captured from Le Monde

At least 37 people were injured due to a gas explosion in central Paris on Wednesday afternoon. Hundreds of firefighters have been on rescue missions for more people out of the disaster zone since the incident happened.

According to CNN, “Some 270 firefighters were deployed to the scene near Rue Saint Jacques in the city’s fifth arrondissement, and have contained the fire, Paris police chief Laurent Nunez told reporters.” Four people remain in critical condition and officials say rescue workers are looking for at least two people thought to be missing in the rubble.”

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said at the explosion scene, “It’s possible that we will find dead bodies tonight, or we will find them alive,” and “There was no alarm sent out before the incident.”

This explosion led to a fire in the building and collapse, putting 4 people in critical condition. According to Re Monde, “The blast was followed by a major fire which caused the building, housing a fashion school, to collapse in a historic district of the French capital.” and “Some 70 fire trucks and 270 firefighters battled the blaze. Nine doctors were also at the scene.”

The gas explosion came from within the building, of the Paris American Academy, the bilingual fashion school. It is reminiscent of a recent building explosion on Jan.12, 2019, in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, which also left 4 people dead and 47 people injured in the incident.

We hope that those missing are found safe and alive and that others in critical condition survive the incident.