At least 15 injured at holiday hotspot in restaurant roof collapse | World | News

A seaside restaurant on the French Riviera was partially closed after part of its roof collapsed on customers dining on the terrace, leaving 15 people needing emergency treatment. The dramatic incident took place at Les P’tits Galets beach resort in Sainte-Maxime on Saturday afternoon.

Firefighters were called to the scene at around 13.30 after the “light roof” over diners collapsed, local newspaper Nice-Matin reported. Emergency services responded to 15 people sitting at the tables on the terrace. In the incident, 5 customers were slightly injured and many people were left in shock. A major rescue operation was launched, with approximately 50 firefighters sent to the restaurant on Boulevard Jean-Moulin. The response included nine ambulances, a paramedic vehicle, a fire truck, three command vehicles and two personnel transport vehicles. Teams from the Saint-Tropez emergency medical service (SMUR), as well as officers from the National Gendarmerie and municipal police, also attended the scene.

The large-scale emergency operation caused major disruption and completely blocked traffic at the entrance to the popular seaside resort as crews worked to assist those affected and secure the area.

A partial closure order will be issued to the business to allow inspection by fencing off the damaged section of the building as well as another section constructed from the same materials.

According to Nice-Matin, the beach restaurant is completely dismantled every winter and reassembled in the spring.

The gendarmerie can now launch an investigation to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the collapse and determine whether any negligence on the part of the manager contributed to the accident.

Nice-Matin reported that the main beam supporting the canopy structure above the terrace collapsed, causing the collapse.

The cause of the incident has not yet been officially confirmed.