According to the latest report communicated by the prosecution, at least seven people were killed, including two children, a seriously injured man and around twenty others more lightly, in a very strong explosion which occurred around 1:30 a.m. on Monday February 14 in a building in Saint-Laurent-de-la-Salanque, located about fifteen kilometers from Perpignan (Occitanie), indicates France Bleu Roussillon. The explosion was followed by a fire.
The explosion occurred at the level of a grocery-sandwich shop, on the ground floor of a small two-storey building, located in the heart of the historic center, between Arago and Lamartine streets. At least eleven apartments were affected by the explosion and the fire. Gas cylinders were found near the building. It is not yet known if they are the cause or if they have aggravated the explosion. The Perpignan prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation for “arson causing death”. Only two of the three damaged buildings could be searched, said the public prosecutor Jean-David Cavaillé. “IThe premises must first be secured so that the firefighters can intervene inside.“, he clarified.
The Minister Delegate for Public Accounts Olivier Dussopt, traveling in the Pyrénées-Orientales, went there. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, who was in Montpellier, arrived at Saint-Laurent-de-la-Salanque around 12:45 p.m.. “The fire is currently contained by firefighters”he said before leaving the Hérault from where he expressed “the solidarity of the nation”. According to him, the death toll of seven “is not final. An infant is to be counted among these seven dead, which shows the absolutely despicable side of this tragedy which affects all of France”.
An explosion followed by a fire killed at least 7 people in the Pyrénées-Orientales. I interrupt my trip to Montpellier to go there. I give my full support to the mobilized state services and to the inhabitants. Thoughts to the victims and their loved ones.
— Gérald DARMANIN (@GDarmanin) February 14, 2022
The seriously injured is a 27-year-old man who jumped out of a first-floor window to escape the flames. He was first evacuated to Perpignan hospital before being transferred to Montpellier University Hospital where he was admitted in intensive care. The slightly injured suffer from smoke poisoning.
A dozen local residents are housed in the rural home. A psychological aid unit will be set up quickly to support relatives and neighbors evacuated in the middle of the night. “Our hearts go out to the victims and their families. We will mobilize to help them as best we can in these most tragic circumstances,” says the town hall in a press release.