A violent gas explosion occurred around 5pm on Wednesday June 21, 2023, in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, on rue Saint-Jacques, a stone's throw from theVal-de-Grâce church. Residents felt a loud bang and were evacuated from the area by firefighters, who were dispatched to the scene quickly after the explosion.
In a tweet posted shortly afterwards, the deputy mayor of the 5th arrondissement, Edouard Civel, described a "gas explosion (that) just occurred on Place Alfonse Laveran in the Val-de-Grâce district", adding that "buildings are on fire." The mayor of the 5th arrondissement, Florence Berthout, is currently en route to the site of the disaster. The Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, is already on site, while a City of Paris crisis unit has been set up.
Residents of the 5th arrondissement, a gas explosion has just occurred on Place Alfonse Laveran in the Val de Grace district, buildings are on fire, stay away to allow firefighters to intervene @Mairie5Paris
- Édouard Civel (@EdouardCivel) June 21, 2023
Witnesses spoke of a strong smell of gas wafting through the area. Several streets were closed by emergency services, and a large security perimeter was set up. The covered passageway at 277 rue Saint-Jacques was also reported to have collapsed. According to witnesses, several people were trapped under the rubble, while others were confined to offices.
Flames and heavy smoke, firefighters trying to extinguish it all and onlookers taking photos from afar.
- Julien Lecot (@JulienLecot) June 21, 2023
In Paris, rue Saint-Jacques is barricaded. An explosion was heard a few minutes ago. @libe pic.twitter.com/VeyRRvQlB1
7 people injured are said to be in "absolute emergency", and 9 others have been more slightly affected by the fire and the collapse of the building.
