Skip to main content
France

One dead after Paris musical pyrotechnics blast

A production worker has died after an explosion of pyrotechnics just ahead of the peformance of a musical set during the French revolution in Paris on Friday night. Another 14 people were injured in the blast that took place while the stage was being set, about two hours before the show was due to start.

French firefighters arrive at the Palace of Sports at the Porte de Versailles in Paris following a blast 8 November 2013
French firefighters arrive at the Palace of Sports at the Porte de Versailles in Paris following a blast 8 November 2013 AFP/Kenzo Tribouillard
Advertising

The dead man suffered a heart attack and died in hospital during the night.

Four other people were seriously injured and about 10 others received treatment for minor injuries, several with damage to their eardrums.

The weekend's performances of 1789, The Lovers Of The Bastille were cancelled and the show's producerss, Dove Attia and Albert Cohen, visited the scene of the blast at Paris's Palais des Sports as emergency services helped the injured.

Interior Minister Manuel Valls also went and paid tribute to firefighters and ambulance workers there, whilee Culture Minister AurΓ©lie Flippetti on Saturday expressed "great sadness" at the accident.

Pyrotechnic devices used during the show are believed to have gone off accidentally as the evening's performance was being prepared.

A wall and part of the ceiling collapsed and the explosion was felt in nearby buildings.

1789, The Lovers Of The Bastille opened in Paris in 2012 before touring the country.

Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning

Keep up to date with international news by downloading the RFI app

Share :
Page not found

The content you requested does not exist or is not available anymore.