A tragic incident unfolded on Monday afternoon at the construction site of the future Line C metro in Labège, just south of Toulouse, claiming one life and leaving three others severely injured. The accident occurred around 5:05 PM local time when a section of the viaduct being constructed collapsed, prompting a rapid response from emergency services.
As per initial reports, the collapse occurred at 505 Rue Jean Rostand, Labège, involving workers from the Tisséo construction project. At present, the casualty count remains fluid, with search operations still ongoing. Approximately 53 firefighters and 20 vehicles have been deployed to manage the situation. Regrettably, one person has been confirmed dead, while two others are in critical condition.
In response to the tragic event, a medical-psychological emergency unit has been activated to provide support to those affected by the incident.
The Mayor of Labège, Lauren Chérubin, expressed his shock and condolences, emphasizing the immediate response from emergency teams and the need to prioritize support for the victims’ families.
Jean-Luc Moudenc, Mayor of Toulouse, has called for a thorough investigation into the precise causes and circumstances surrounding the accident, underlining the importance of transparency.
Dr. Salomé Sousa, an emergency physician with SAMU 31, recounted her experience arriving at the scene, highlighting the unprecedented scale of the incident.
The construction site where the tragedy occurred has been identified as part of the Tisséo Line C metro project in Labège. Details of the ongoing construction work have been provided to contextualize the incident.
Further investigations into the accident reveal that a hydraulic jack failure between two bridge supports may have triggered the collapse, according to statements from the prosecutor, Samuel Vuelta-Simon.
The incident has sparked a wave of emotions, with local authorities and transport officials expressing sorrow over the loss of life and the severity of the injuries sustained by the workers involved.
Tisséo, the entity overseeing the metro project, has established a crisis management team to collaborate with construction contractor Bouygues and coordinate efforts to understand the cause of the collapse.
Meanwhile, the labor inspectorate has initiated its own inquiry into the safety protocols at the construction site, with a commitment to ensuring the well-being of all workers involved in the project.
The construction of Line C of the Toulouse metro, which commenced in late 2022, is expected to be completed and operational by 2028.
In summary, the incident underscores the inherent risks associated with large-scale construction projects and the critical need for robust safety measures and thorough investigations to prevent such tragedies in the future.
