Eight people are feared to be trapped under rubble of two buildings that collapsed after explosion in the south of France, officials say

•  More than 17 hours after explosion ‘situation is not yet stabilised’, authorities say
• Eight people authorities are concerned about have not been answering calls 

Eight people are feared to be trapped under rubble after their home exploded and later brought down part of a neighbouring building near the port of Marseille.

More than 100 firefighters worked to extinguish flames deep within the rubble of the five-storey building after the explosion occurred shortly before 1am on Sunday.

But more than 17 hours later ‘the situation is not yet stabilised’, Marseille prosecutor Dominique Laurens told reporters.

Earlier in the day, officials believed that between four and 10 people may have been trapped. The eight people authorities are now concerned about have not been answering calls.

Ms Laurens said police have yet to confirm the apparent disappearance of a ninth person who lived in a building next door. Five people suffered minor injuries from the collapse.

Eight people are feared to be trapped under rubble after the building they lived in exploded

More than 100 firefighters worked to extinguish flames deep within the rubble of the five-storey building

Drones and probes have been used to examine the scene for signs of life

Marseille mayor Benoit Payan said two buildings that share walls with the one that collapsed were partially brought down before one later caved in, another complication in the search and rescue operation.

The buildings were among evacuated structures.

Drones, probes and sniffer dogs have been used to examine the scene for signs of life.

‘We cannot intervene in a very classic way,’ interior minister Gerald Darmanin said during a morning visit to the site.

He added that the fire was burning a few metres under the mounds of debris and that both water and foam represent a danger to victims’ survival.

A gas explosion is among one of the theories being explored, Ms Laurens, the prosecutor said. But the start of the probe also was limited by the heat of the blaze.

‘The flames weren’t pink. They were blue,’ Mr Payan said.

The explosion occurred near the port of Marseille in the south of France

More than 17 hours later ‘the situation is not yet stabilised’, Marseille prosecutor Dominique Laurens told reporters

The building that collapsed is located on a narrow street half a mile from Marseille’s old port, adding to an array of difficulties for firefighters and rescue workers

Firefighters, with the help of urban rescue experts, worked through the night and all day on Sunday in a race against time. 

‘The delicate operation aimed to keep firefighters safe, prevent further harm to people potentially trapped in the rubble and not compromise vulnerable buildings nearby, already partially collapsed.

Some 30 buildings in the area were evacuated, Mr Darmanin said.

Rescue personnel working at the scene late last night. Plumes of dust were seen coming off the debris

Rescue vehicles struggled to reach the building, navigating narrow roads

French Minister of the Interior Gerald Darmanin visited the site of the explosion today

An excavator removing rubble at ‘rue Tivoli’ after the building collapsed

The building that collapsed is located on a narrow street half a mile from Marseille’s old port, adding to an array of difficulties for firefighters and rescue workers. 

The prosecutor said the building and those next door ‘are not at all substandard buildings’.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne both said in tweets that their thoughts were with people affected, and gave their thanks to the firefighters.

TV footage showed clouds of smoke and dust rising from the levelled building. 

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