Several die as Paris airport ceiling collapses

Tons of concrete collapsed from a ceiling over a check-in area in a passenger terminal at Paris’ largest airport today, killing several people and injuring others, authorities said.

The accident occurred at Terminal 2E of Charles de Gaulle airport just north of the French capital.

The terminal was opened just 11 months ago, after at least two construction delays.

“A part of the ceiling of Terminal 2E collapsed,” airport police said. “There are several people dead and several injured.”

The exact number was not immediately known, and police said they were still trying to reach people trapped in the rubble.

Police said the accident occurred at about 7am (5am Irish time). It strewed concrete over an area about 50 metres by 30 metres.

“There are several tons of concrete that collapsed in a structure in a check-in area that leads out to the airplanes,” Paris Fire Department Capt. Laurent Vibert said.

Authorities immediately evacuated the terminal, and set into place a disaster response team.