Paris bakery explosion death toll rises to four after body is found in rubble

Sophie Williams13 January 2019

The death toll from an explosion at a bakery in Paris has risen to four, according to authorities.

The blast occurred on Saturday morning in the Rue de Trevise in the 9th arrondissement of north-central Paris.

Dozens of people were injured with 10 of them still in a critical condition.

Yesterday, three people were confirmed dead, two firefighters and a Spanish national, however the death toll has since risen.

A vehicle is overturned amid debris after the explosion
AFP/Getty Images

Firefighters found a body among the rubble.

Paris fire department spokesman Eric Moulin told reporters about 30 firefighters were at the site to search for other potential victims, amid a mountain of debris and wrecked cars.

Paris authorities said 12 neighbouring buildings that were damaged by the blast apparently due to a gas leak have been evacuated.

A general view shows debris and car wreckage following the explosion of a bakery on the corner of the streets Saint-Cecile and Rue de Trevise
AFP/Getty Images

Temporary accommodations were provided for about 40 residents while dozens of others have been housed by family and friends.

Firefighters pulled injured victims out of windows and evacuated residents as smoke billowed out of the building after the incident at 9am local time (8am GMT).

Firemen work at the site of an explosion in a bakery shop in the 9th District in Paris, France
Reuters

Paris prosecutor Remy Heitz said that the cause appears to be an accidental gas leak.

He said that Paris firefighters were already at the scene to investigate a suspected gas leak at the bakery when the explosion happened.

Firefighters intervene after the explosion
AFP/Getty Images

An investigation was opened to determine the exact cause of the blast, he said.

Fire burns at the site of an explosion at a bakery shop in Paris
AFP/Getty Images

Witnesses described the overwhelming sound of the blast and people trapped inside nearby buildings.

Several people were injured in the blast
EPA

Charred debris and broken glass covered the pavement around the apartment building housing the bakery, which resembled a blackened carcass.

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