A dramatic incident unfolded in Paris early Saturday morning when the floor of a fifth-floor apartment collapsed during a birthday party, leaving at least 20 people injured, including one in serious condition.
The incident occurred around 12:30 AM at 34 bis Rue Amelot in the 11th arrondissement of Paris. Approximately 50 people were gathered at the private event when the floor suddenly gave way, causing partygoers to fall through to the level below. Witnesses reported hearing people screaming as the collapse occurred.
One person suffered cardiorespiratory arrest but was successfully resuscitated by emergency responders and immediately transported to hospital. Fourteen other individuals received treatment for various injuries at the scene. Five people were rescued from the debris by firefighters who conducted a thorough search of the rubble.
The Paris Fire Brigade (BSPP) deployed a massive response with 145 firefighters and dozens of emergency vehicles converging on the scene. A security perimeter was established around the building as rescue operations continued through the night.
According to the fire brigade, the collapse appears to be structural in nature, with no indication of a gas leak being a contributing factor. Police reported that rescue teams propped up the fourth floor to prevent further damage, though the building's overall structure remained intact.
Those displaced by the collapse were initially cared for at a neighboring nursing home on Rue Amelot. The Paris prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into the cause of the collapse. Building safety experts will examine the structure to determine what led to the catastrophic failure during what was meant to be a celebratory gathering.