The images of the disaster are chilling: on the night of Tuesday May 7 to Wednesday May 8, 2024, a building in Puilboreau, near La Rochelle (Charente-Maritime), was blown away by an explosion. The building, which houses social housing, is located near a residence for the elderly, specifies France 3 New Aquitaine. One person was seriously injured.
The explosion severely damaged the building and gutted an apartment. The top of the building collapsed and windows of the neighboring senior residence were also destroyed. Around forty residents were evacuated from public housing. “I thought it was a plane that had just crashed”testifies one of them to South West. Others speak of a noise similar to a bomb. “I fought in the war. I thought I’d relive it.”confides a 93-year-old retiree.
A probable gas leak
“We thought it was over”recognizes another victim on the microphone of TF1 Info. “Our building collapsed. We feel naked, I feel like I lost my whole life there, that I won’t get anything back.”. The local residents were taken care of by emergency services and then welcomed in a community room. In total, 42 people will need to be relocated. On the other hand, the 138 residents and employees of the senior residence were able to return to their homes.
The occupant of the apartment which exploded was found under the rubble. He was airlifted in serious condition to Poitiers University Hospital. According to France 3, he would have had a leg amputated and his life prognosis would be in jeopardy. The cause of the tragedy would be due to a gas leak but the investigation entrusted to the police officers of the Departmental Security of La Rochelle will have to confirm this.
