An intense explosion rocked a building in Paris' notable Left Bank on Wednesday, injuring at least 16 people, igniting a fire, and prompting the evacuation of nearby structures. The authorities are yet to determine the cause of this incident that has rattled the city.
The powerful blast occurred in a building situated in the 5th arrondissement, causing its facade to collapse. Emergency responders are currently examining the wreckage for any potential victims still trapped inside, according to an official from the Paris Police Department. The explosion occurred in close proximity to the historically significant Val de Grace military hospital.
Laurent Nunez, Paris police chief, informed the press that the explosion has resulted in 16 injuries, seven of which are severe. While the fire was somewhat controlled, it was yet to be fully extinguished, he added.
Florence Berthout, the mayor of the arrondissement, described the explosion as "extremely violent", indicating the ongoing danger of falling glass shards from buildings in the vicinity.
Paris police chief Nunez outlined that the victims suffered various degrees of injuries, including a few critical ones, but refrained from sharing specific numbers or clarifying if any injuries were life-threatening.
The Paris Prosecutor's office announced an investigation into aggravated involuntary injury, with a special focus on whether the blast was due to a suspected breach of safety norms.
Despite the ambiguity surrounding the cause of the explosion, officials from the 5th arrondissement speculate it might have originated from a gas leak. The building hit by the explosion houses the Paris American Academy, a private educational institution established in 1965, providing courses in fine arts, fashion design, interior design, and creative writing.
Firefighters tussling with the blaze caused a decrease in the thick plume of smoke, yet the smell remained pervasive. The vicinity has been sealed off and is bustling with emergency personnel, police officers, and soldiers.
A student identified as Achille, located roughly 100 meters away from the blast, narrated his ordeal to BFM television, "We were sitting by the window when the blast pushed us about 2 meters away, instigating immense fear... we immediately saw flames and were promptly evacuated with the help of the police."
With a population exceeding 2 million living within its boundaries and some structures of historic significance that are aging, Paris is not unfamiliar with gas explosions. A similar incident in January 2019 in the city's 9th district led to the tragic loss of four lives and injuries to several others.