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On Monday 15 December 2025, a powerful explosion ripped through the ground floor of a four‑storey residential block in Trévoux, a town of 6,930 inhabitants about 40 km north of Lyon, killing two children and injuring many residents.
Casualties and Immediate Response
The blast, which occurred at around 17:30, left two children—aged three and five—dead after failed resuscitation attempts, while 13 people were injured. Ten of the injured required urgent medical care and were transported to regional hospitals; three others with minor injuries presented themselves at the hospital.
Rescue crews also activated a medico‑psychological emergency cell to support the many shaken witnesses, including school pupils whose windows shattered during the blast.
Authorities’ Actions
Prefect Chantal Mauchet, who inspected the site, said the building did not collapse but was heavily damaged, compromising its structural integrity. Mayor Marc Péchoux triggered a communal safety plan, arranging temporary shelter for roughly 50 displaced residents in a local gymnasium.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez will travel to Trèvoux on Tuesday morning to meet with local officials and rescue teams before joining President Emmanuel Macron in Marseille for a separate visit on drug‑trafficking and urban modernization.
Ongoing Investigation
The cause of the explosion remains undetermined. A gas‑emergency van was observed on the scene, but officials have not confirmed a gas leak. An inquiry has been opened, with the Bourg‑en‑Bresse prosecutor’s office involved, while 50 firefighters, 36 fire engines, and 45 gendarmes continue search and safety operations, including canine units.
Colonel Pierre‑Marie Grandcolas of the departmental fire service noted that additional lighting and support equipment were deployed as night fell, and that teams need more time to ensure no one remains trapped under the debris.
Prefect Mauchet also activated the NOVI plan for mass‑casualty incidents, mobilising the full emergency response chain across the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people were injured in the Trévoux explosion?
Thirteen people were injured; ten required urgent medical care and were taken to hospitals, while three with minor injuries presented themselves at the hospital.
What is known about the cause of the explosion?
The cause remains undetermined. A gas‑emergency van was seen at the site, but officials have not confirmed a gas leak.
What support is being provided to the victims and residents?
Medical treatment has been given to the injured, a medico‑psychological emergency unit is assisting traumatized individuals, and about 50 displaced residents will stay overnight in a gymnasium while the building is deemed unsafe.
How might the community’s recovery evolve in the coming weeks?
