Two bodies were found overnight in the rubble following an explosion that collapsed a building in the southern French city of Marseille, as rescuers continued searching for at least six people who are unaccounted-for, authorities said Monday.
Firefighters noted “the particular difficulties of intervention” and said in a statement the judicial authority will proceed to identify the victims.
Marseille mayor Benoit Payan tweeted 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.
Payan told French media that more than 100 firefighters on site were searching for at least six people believed to have been trapped in the five-story residential building. “There is still hope” to find survivors, he said.