Nine bodies have been found after a fire ravaged a holiday cottage welcoming disabled people in eastern France.
The blaze broke out at 6:30 a.m. in private accommodation in the town of Wintzenheim in the Haut-Rhin region.
Earlier this morning, local reports said 11 people were missing while seventeen others were evacuated, including one person who was sent to a hospital in a “relative emergency.”
But at around noon, Lieutenant Colonel Philippe Hauwiller, who headed the rescue operations, told media: “Nine bodies have been located, two bodies are still missing.”
The secretary general of the Haut-Rhin prefecture, Christophe Marot, earlier said 10 disabled people and one person accompanying the group- all from Nancy in eastern France - were among those missing.
He said: “The search is continuing. We are practically sure of the death of the missing people. We are being cautious until we have found all the bodies.”
BFM TV quoted a police source as saying a drone had located three bodies. Wintzenheim deputy mayor Daniel Leroy told the news channel that those missing were likely to be aged between 25 to 50.
“The building was being used ... for their vacation,” a statement from the Haut-Rhin prefecture said.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said there were several casualties after the fire ravaged 300 square meters of the 500-square meter building.
“Despite the rapid and courageous intervention of the fire department ... several casualties are reported,” he said, adding rescue operations were still ongoing.
Local deputy mayor Daniel Leroy told BFM Alsacethat the sleeping quarters are “all gone,” adding: “The wooden structure collapsed there is nothing left.”
A total of 76 firefighters, four fire engines and four ambulances were deployed to contain the blaze and treat the victims. Forty police officers were also mobilised.
Firefighters said the blaze started on the ground floor of the building which is a renovated barn. The fire was quickly brought under control, a statement said.
Prime minister Élizabeth Borne said she is heading to the scene. She wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Following the terrible fire that took place in Wintzenheim last night, I am going there with @auroreberge.
“My first thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones. I salute the mobilisation of the firefighters.”
French President Emmanuel Macron wrote: “In the face of this tragedy, my thoughts are with the victims, the injured and their families. Thank you to our security forces and emergency services.”