The routes are diverse and, today, they are all united through the tragedy that struck rue Saint-Jacques in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, Wednesday at 4:55 p.m. sharp. Some were at work, others were passing by, like every day. There are serious injuries. They suffer from numerous and impressive burns. Others suffered the blast, that is to say the blast of the explosion, the same which caused the surrounding windows to break, which caused the manhole covers to rise, and which caused the streets all those who felt – within a radius of 100 m – this powerful explosion described by many witnesses as “a bombardment”.
The toll of the wounded was revised upwards this Thursday, June 22, from 33 in relative emergency, Wednesday evening, to around fifty, according to the police headquarters. They were hit by projections for many, stones or broken glass. The balance sheet is unchanged, on the other hand, for people in absolute emergency, six, that is to say those who are “between life and death”, specified Wednesday evening Gérald Darmanin, the Minister of the Interior.
“He is one of those people who mark you”
Among these seriously injured, the one who was most affected is the president of the Paris American Academy (PAA), a school of fashion and design, in particular, located in the former entrance pavilion of the abbey of Val-de – Grace blown by the explosion. Peter Carman, 76, has chaired this world-renowned establishment, created in 1965, for many years. According to our information, the septuagenarian suffers from serious burns on 85% of the body. He was treated Thursday at the Saint-Louis hospital, in the burns department.
This news shook the fashion world and in particular Erin, an American who studied at the PAA in 1995. First, it was the surprise that won her over. “Oh no, was he there? He is a wonderful person”. She continues, “He has a great wit, a sense of humor, and is very personable and accommodating.”
Peter Carman has worked at the PAA since the 1970s. When Erin was studying within the walls of 277, rue Saint-Jacques, Peter Carman was the link between the American establishments and the Parisian school. Erin concludes: “I looked on a map, the explosion took place not very far from the apartment in rue des Ursulines that I occupied during my studies in Paris”. A resident contacted by telephone also evokes Peter Carman: “He’s someone very well known here, he’s a bit of a neighborhood figure”.
Other former students, especially of American nationality, contacted by Le Parisien, are indeed unanimous. Everyone loves Peter Carman. “He is one of those people who mark you when you meet them, says this one. He may not remember me because he must have seen thousands of students pass by. But I remember him.”
57-year-old teacher still missing
On its Facebook page, the PAA – which does not wish to speak in the press for the time being awaiting official communications – made an unofficial assessment of the state of health of the people who were on the premises. A teacher, Nicole D. would still be hospitalized, among the seriously injured. Mélissa F., an au pair who also worked as a secretary at the school, was more lightly affected. She was treated and was able to return home after going through the emergency room.
In the premises of the PAA, there was also Anne B. still missing. A sewing teacher for 20 years at the PAA, this 57-year-old woman was, according to several witnesses, on the third floor when the building collapsed. Nine students from Kent State University (Ohio) present in Paris for the month of June were at a parade at the time of the explosion. They are all safe and sound.
Among the injured people, outside the PAA, there is a father, collaborator of the general secretariat of Catholic education whose premises are close to 277. He was caught in the blast of the explosion while he came out of the office. He suffers from serious injuries.
Many physical or psychological injuries are passers-by and local residents. There is, in particular, Khadija M., a clinical psychologist living in a neighboring apartment. For this woman, the consequences are more psychological, according to the Department of Seine-Saint-Denis where she has worked for more than 22 years. “Her windows were smashed but she is not injured,” we are told.
