At least 2 killed as building collapses in southern France

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) – At least two people died when a building collapsed overnight at the weekend in southern France, local media reported Monday.

Residents of Tivoli Street in the city of Marseille woke up to a sudden explosion just after midnight from Saturday to Sunday and saw the building 17 collapsed, according to daily Le Figaro.

The adjacent building 15 also collapsed a few hours later.

Firefighters responded the incident immediately and launched rescue operations.

A fire also started in the rubble and made it harder for them to reach possible survivors, the daily added.

Two bodies have been recovered so far and search and rescue operations continue to find six other people.

Marseille Mayor Benoit Payan said in a news conference on Monday that evacuation efforts continue under difficult conditions.

"The fire has not been totally extinguished yet, it is slow and tiresome work," Payan said. "If there are any survivors, we must protect them at all costs. We will continue to work rock by rock. We have hope and we will not stop."