And the fourth body was found under the rubble of an apartment building that collapsed on the night from Saturday to Sunday in Marseilleson South Francewhere rescuers are still trying to find survivors in difficult conditions.

“Four bodies have been found,” Housing Minister Olivier Klein said during a press briefing at the crash site.

In the morning, a third body was recovered from the rubble, following two found during the night, authorities announced.

The identities of the victims have not yet been released.

Hope for survivors

Thus, four people went missing after the collapse of an apartment building in the heart of France’s second largest city, close to an area famous for its bars and restaurants.

“There is still hope” that the survivors will be found, Marseille Mayor Benoît Payan said today from the scene of the tragedy.

About a hundred rescuers with the help of dogs, drones and heat detectors work non-stop in difficult conditions, with fire still smoldering under the rubble, trying to find those trapped.

“The fire has not spread everywhere, there is hope that there are still people alive,” Marseille fire chief Lionel Mathieu also said, referring to the “battle against time.”

“The pain and suffering is great tonight,” the mayor had said a few hours earlier, when firefighters announced they had found two bodies in the ruins of an apartment building at 17 Tivoli Street, which had five apartments and which suddenly collapsed later from a massive explosion.

“Given the special difficulties of the operation, the removal of the bodies will take time,” explained the rescuers, who work tirelessly day and night.

Investigation continues

Marseille prosecutor Dominique Laurens said yesterday, Sunday evening, that among the missing there are “people of the age and a young couple of about 30 years old.” He added that there were no children or minors.

About 200 people were forced to leave their homes in neighboring apartment buildings as a precautionary measure. Associations of local parents and residents are mobilized to provide housing, clothing and psychological support to the victims.

The municipality has announced the provision of housing, and a reception center has been opened, where psychological support is provided to relatives of the missing.

The investigation into the cause of the explosion continues. According to the authorities, the scenario of a gas explosion is being considered.

^{Source: APE, AFP, Reuters.}