Structural Collapse of Apartment on Rue Amelot During Party Leaves One Critically Injured

In the early hours of January 18, 2026, a structural collapse occurred in a six-story building on Rue Amelot in Paris' 11th arrondissement during a party attended by about 50 people. The accident caused the floor of one apartment to collapse onto the apartment below, leading to one person being critically injured and approximately 15 others sustaining lighter injuries.

The Paris prosecutor's office reported that among the injured, one individual was in absolute emergency requiring immediate hospitalization, while 14 others were in relative emergency. One person was found in cardiac arrest but was successfully resuscitated and hospitalized. Emergency response was significant, with around 145 firefighters and 45 vehicles dispatched to the scene, according to the Paris police prefecture. Adjacent buildings were temporarily evacuated but residents were allowed to return by 4 AM after safety inspections.

Initial investigations by safety architects confirmed that the collapse was structural and unrelated to any gas leak. The overall structure of the building remained intact despite the localized collapse. Two residents were temporarily relocated by local authorities, while others found alternate accommodations independently. The 11th district police have launched an inquiry into the cause of the injuries and the collapse itself.

The incident occurred during a birthday celebration, highlighting the unforeseen danger in occupied residential buildings. Liberation reported that around 100 firefighters were involved, confirming the scale of emergency operations. While the floor gave way, the building's bigger framework was not compromised, mitigating the risk of further collapses.

This tragic event marks a critical moment for building safety assessments in Paris, especially in older residential structures. Authorities continue their investigation to determine the precise cause and to prevent similar incidents in the future.