Six People Still Missing After Old Montreal Fire, Rescue Operations Underway

Six people are still missing as rescue teams work to account for all the people who were present during the Old Montreal fire last week. One body was extracted on Monday morning and officials have stated that rescue efforts are relatively slow because of safety concerns.

On March 16, a fire broke out at an apartment complex at du Port Street and Place d’Youville in Montreal’s Old Port. At first, nine injuries and one missing person were reported. As the rescue operations went on, it was discovered that more people are unaccounted for. Latest reports have now stated that six people are still missing and might be trapped under the rubble.

“These people still missing are probably still in the rubble, unfortunately,” said spokesperson for the Montreal police (SPVM) inspector David Shane.

At around 6:45 a.m. rescuers recovered one body from the rubble. While the identity of the victim is unknown, it is said to be a woman. The teams plan to dismantle the second and third floors of the buildings to find the other missing people. The rescue efforts, he said, are relatively slow due to safety hazards. “The work is hard and will continue for many days. Our hearts go out to the families, and we will never give up,” he added.

Police also shared that two of the nine people that were taken to Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal are still in the burn unit.

Officials noted that several of the units in the building were Airbnbs, which is why tracking the occupants is difficult. They were short-term rental units, and it was initially believed that only one person was missing. The building owner’s lawyer said that the units were being operated by the tenants and that steps were taken to stop them.

Vineet Washington